As the spread of the coronavirus in Europe intensifies, restrictions are tightening again

The requirement to wear masks was introduced throughout Paris, and Hungary and Ukraine again closed their borders.

Furthermore, German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned that the crisis would become “even more severe” in the fall and winter.

At the time, the president of the United States, Donald Trump, was, as usual, much more optimistic, although the number of victims of coronavir in his country exceeded 180,000.

Since the initial outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China nine months ago, the number of infected people worldwide has risen to 24.7 million and more than 837,000. the infected died.

The impact of the pandemic on the economy has been catastrophic. Canada has become the latest country to record a record economic contraction, with the country’s gross domestic product declining 38.7 percent in the latest quarter from a year earlier.

Governments hope that the introduction of stricter rules on the use of masks will not lead to a return from the devastating quarantine economies, although the French government has said it cannot rule out a re-insistence on isolation at home.

In the past, masks were mandatory in Paris on public transport and in places where many people congregate, but now they will be mandatory throughout the city.

“The epidemic is escalating and now is the time to intervene,” Prime Minister Jean Castex said.

On Friday night, health services in mainland France reported a daily approval of almost 7.4 thousand. new cases of infection and claimed that the COVID-19 spread curve had become “exponential.”

At the time, Hungary announced that foreigners would be banned from entering the country starting on September 1, and returning residents could only avoid two weeks of isolation if two COVID-19 tests were negative. Ukraine has decided to close its borders for 30 days.

Greece has also indicated that it will extend the quarantine in migrant camps until at least September 15, amid fears that COVID-19 is spreading uncontrollably in the five overcrowded camps on the Aegean islands.

Skeptikai

Many governments are facing a backlash.

Spanish police arrested a man who believes the pandemic is a hoax and incited violence against politicians on social media, including the Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

A Berlin court allowed a demonstration by coronavirus skeptics this weekend on Friday, with police vowing to ensure safety. A similar protest is planned in Zurich.

Merkel warned that fighting the virus “will likely be more difficult in the coming months” as people start spending more time indoors.

The chancellor and German state governments agreed on Thursday to tighten rules on wearing masks and ban major events by the end of the year. These measures are being taken in response to the growing number of infections, which are believed to be mainly due to summer travel and private vacations.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz also warned of “difficult” months ahead, but predicted a return to “normal life” next year.

According to the chancellor, the government will decide next week on stricter restrictions.

The Spanish government said this week that children as young as six will have to cover their noses and mouths at school, and Britain has withdrawn previous recommendations that children aged 11 to 18 should not wear masks.

South Korea also decided on Friday to toughen measures in Seoul and its suburbs. Among other things, covered sports facilities will be closed. Such restrictions have been introduced with the proliferation of new infection outbreaks, many of which are associated with church gatherings.

The United States has reported far more morbidity and mortality from coronavirus than the rest of the world.

“We are mobilizing ingenious American science to produce the vaccine in record time,” Trump said at an event during which he agreed to become a Republican candidate.

“Already this year, we will have a safe and effective vaccine and at the same time we will squash the virus,” he said.

However, enormous economic damage has already been done. On Friday, hotel and casino business giant MGM Resorts announced it will lay off 18,000 employees.

Japan has announced that the ban on re-entry of foreigners will be lifted starting next month to help the economy hit by the pandemic, but regulations to prevent the spread of the infection will continue to be met.

Japan has suffered less from the coronavirus than many other major economies. About 127 million. Only 65,000 coronavirus cases have been reported in a country with a population of around 1,200.

The British government has urged people to go back to work due to concerns about the impact of the economic downturn on the economy and some businesses.

A forecast released this week that the UK economy will lose around £ 22bn this year. pounds (around 24.6 billion euros).

Although travel is partly to blame for the rise in disease in Europe, attempts are being made to save at least part of the tourism business across the continent.

Despite these efforts, 14 million fewer tourists visited the French capital, Paris, in the first six months of this year than last year.