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Italy and Belgium have introduced new socialization rules amid fears of a “tsunami” in coronavirus cases.
The new restrictions on Belgium came into force when a government minister admitted that the country “can no longer control” the current rate of COVID-19 transmission.
Bars and restaurants have been closed and take-out is only allowed until 10 p.m., while groups of people are limited to four when together in public spaces.
Close contact with a single person outside the home is allowed, while the same four guests, which can be changed every two weeks, can visit a home if they follow social distancing rules. There is also a nightly curfew from midnight to 5 am.
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People in Rome have to follow the new restrictions that have been introduced throughout Italy
The toughest measures were introduced when Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said the situation in some parts of Belgium was “the most dangerous” in Europe.
He told RTL station: “We are the worst affected region in all of Europe. We are very close to a tsunami. We no longer control what is happening.”
“If it continues to increase, the number of hospitalizations will be such that we will have to postpone more and more non-COVID care, which is also very dangerous.”
Italy has introduced its own rule of six as part of a series of measures that took effect at midnight and are currently scheduled to last until November 13.
A maximum of six people can sit together in restaurants and bars. Table service is mandatory after 6pm.
Mayors can order the closure of public spaces such as streets and squares after 9:00 p.m., while public events have been suspended.
Italy is expected to make a decision on whether to close gyms and swimming pools later this week.
The protests took place in Prague over the weekend over restrictions in the Czech Republic
According to the latest coronavirus Figures from Johns Hopkins University, which has been tracking the outbreak, there have been more than 414,000 confirmed cases in Italy and more than 36,500 deaths. Belgium has registered more than 222,200 cases and its death toll stands at more than 10,400.
Meanwhile, the Czech Republic, which has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Europe per capita (828 per 100,000), will wait at least two weeks to analyze the impact of the new rules before deciding whether to order a complete lockdown.
Bars and restaurants have been said to close except for take-out service.
Gyms, theaters and cinemas had already closed their doors. Police also had to deal with protests against the masks on Sunday.
The country has recorded more than 173,800 confirmed cases and more than 1,400 deaths.
Watch and follow ‘Postcode Lockdown: A Divided Nation’ on Sky News from 9pm Monday as it examines which strategy is best for Britain
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