Omicron and delta spell return of unpopular restrictions

By LORI HINNANT
Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Governments around the world are weighing new measures for populations tired of hearing about restrictions and vaccines as the coronavirus delta variant of COVID-19 pushes up cases in Europe and fears grow over the omicron variant. Greeks who are over age 60 and refuse vaccinations could be hit with monthly fines. Potential carriers of omicron in Israel could be tracked by the nation’s domestic security agency. Weekly protests in the Netherlands over the country’s 5 p.m. lockdown and other new restrictions have recently descended into violence. That’s despite what appears to be overwhelming acceptance of the new rules. Governments face a thorny calculus made more difficult by the prospect of backlash, increased social divisions and the fear of being voted out of office.