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France was preparing to begin a new month-long national lockdown as Germany imposed drastic new restrictions, and European leaders will meet on Thursday to discuss the explosive spikes in coronavirus infections on the continent.
The pandemic is increasing around the world, with hundreds of thousands of new infections daily exceeding 44 million known cases worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million deaths.
India, the second most affected country in the world, surpassed eight million cases on Thursday.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s dramatic shutdown decision came after worrying spikes in infection in Europe have forced governments to contemplate reinstating punishment orders to stay at home.
“All of us in Europe are surprised by the spread of the virus,” Macron said in another televised address to the nation during which he stressed that the second blockade would be less severe than the first.
Bars and restaurants will be closed at least until early December, travel between regions will be limited and citizens will need an authorization form to leave their homes, he said.
But kindergartens, schools, factories and construction sites will remain open.
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered a new round of closures from Monday, November 2 until the end of the month, although the Germans will not be confined to their homes.
Bars, cafes and restaurants must close, as well as theaters, operas and cinemas. Hotel stays must be restricted while professional sports, including Bundesliga football, will be rejected behind closed doors.
Ireland had already locked in again last week, and the decisions by France and Germany will likely lead to pressure on other nations to follow suit, including Britain.
EU leaders will hold a video summit on Thursday to discuss the crisis, European sources said Wednesday, the first in a series of such calls to improve coordination against the virus.
– ‘It’s time to make a will’ –
One of the biggest concerns for governments is public fatigue and anger at the economic, social and psychological costs of the closures.
“It’s a disaster, because I can’t stay home, because it’s difficult and I want to work,” Parisian beautician Irina told AFP.
Rising tolls and economic pain have impacted society in many ways around the world, from distance education to office work, and planning for death itself.
In Mexico, which has the fourth highest number of deaths from coronavirus, the pandemic has forced people to write their wills, which many in the Latin American nation would put off.
“Mexicans often put things off until ‘tomorrow’ (tomorrow) and we don’t like to talk about wills. It bodes ill,” said Laura Villa, a 49-year-old financial sector worker and mother of two children.
“The pandemic made me decide that now is the time to make a will.”
– Halloween pandemic –
The United States still has the highest death toll and infection count in the world and, like Europe, is battling a major surge with tens of thousands of new cases daily as fears mount that hospitals could be overwhelmed.
There was further alarm on Wednesday when the FBI and two other US agencies warned of “a growing and imminent threat of cybercrime” to US hospitals, including ransomware attacks and disruption of services.
The agencies urged hospitals to take precautions, saying such attacks “will be particularly challenging” due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus has overshadowed Halloween celebrations on October 31, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that they can be high-risk and many events have been canceled.
But the town of Croton-on-Hudson, north of New York City, still celebrates its annual “Jack O’Lantern Blaze,” where more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins come to life for a sound and light show.
“I’m so glad this happened this year to save something for them,” said Sarah Nocerino, referring to her elementary school-age daughters.
“They’ve had so much that they couldn’t do this year, it was nice to have a tradition that we can still participate in for Halloween.”
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