Europe hardens virus controls as infections surge across region
EUROPEAN governments from The Netherlands to Spain imposed tough new virus controls on Wednesday, closing bars and restaurants and enforcing local lockdowns in a bid to battle a surge in a new infections from the global pandemic.
With the virus still spreading worldwide, with over one million deaths and nearly 0 million cases, regions like Europe that suppressed the first outbreak are again facing tough choices on how to control a new wave without economically destructive national lockdowns.
Bars and restaurants will close across Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region for the next 1 days as the country tackles one of the highest rates of infection in the EU, with nearly 900,000 infections and more than 33,000 deaths.
Similar measures came into force across The Netherlands,
including restrictions on alcohol sales and new mask requirements, while Northern Ireland announced a fourweek closure of pubs and restaurants.
French President Emmanuel Macron is widely expected to announce tighter virus controls in a primetime television interview, with local media reporting that could include curfews for Paris and other cities where infection rates are high.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel also wants tougher measures to fight a surge in coronavirus infections, according to a draft policy paper seen by AFP on Wednesday. Those including more masks and limiting numbers at private events.