Europe back in COVID lockdown

PARIS: Most European countries are reintroducing lockdowns as COVID-19 cases soar across the continent with the onset of colder weather.

France has extended a curfew to two-thirds of the population, as it registered a record 41,622 new coronavirus infections ( pictured) in 24 hours.

The night-time rule now applies to 46 million people. The only exceptions are night workers, people reaching travel destinations by public transport, medical emergencies and those caring for the elderly. Brief sorties to walk dogs near your home are permitted.

Breaching the law is punishable by a €135 ($224) onthe-spot fine, rising steeply after the second offence. Nearly 5000 people had already been fined and “much tougher” measures were being considered, Prime Minister Jean Castex said.

“We are observing today a rapid and very worrying advance in the epidemic in all E u r o p e a n countries. No one is spared.”

The country’s public health agency also reports 165 new deaths linked to COVID-19.

Berlin is steeling itself for a second lockdown and has cancelled one of its most popular Christmas markets after Germany registered a record 11,827 infections within 24 hours.

Dilek Kalayci, the Berlin health minister, warned that her government was running out of targeted measures and said the contact-tracing system was overwhelmed.

Ms Kalayci said that if stricter enforcement of socialdistancing rules failed to flatten the curve there would be no choice but to order Berliners to stay at home.

“Honestly, beyond that we don’t have all that many tools left,” she said. “Then there remains only a lockdown.”

Italy is also seeing a spike and has ordered curfews in regions that cover the capital Rome and business hub Milan.

Greece has declared a night-time curfew from 12.30am to 5am that comes into force on Saturday for Athens, the northern city of Thessaloniki and other areas to curb the spread of the virus.