Coronavirus: Lockdown Returns to France and Germany – Here’s What You Need to Know | World News



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France and Germany have become the latest countries to announce second closures as Europe struggles to control the latest wave of coronavirus.

French President Emmanuel Macron told its citizens on Wednesday that COVID-19 had “overwhelmed” Francewhile German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her own national speech that Germany must act now “to avoid an acute national health emergency.”

In the last seven days, the EU, Great Britain, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland have accounted for 1.1 million cases of the virus, according to President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who warned that the numbers will increase “rapidly.”

French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Angela Merkel prepare for a press conference after the deal was reached
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French President Emmanuel Macron and German Angela Merkel are the latest to announce new restrictions

He told reporters in Brussels that this could mean that “Christmas this year will be a different Christmas” for a continent “immersed in the second wave.”

The second french emergency shutdownHowever, it will look a little different than Germany in your approach.

What are the restrictions in France?

From Friday until December 1, the people of France They will only be allowed to leave their homes to buy basic necessities, for medical reasons and to exercise for one hour a day.

Anyone who wants to leave will need to complete an “attestation”, a form that was also required to leave the house during the first closing.

Le Parisien newspaper says the French prime minister’s office has confirmed that people will be allowed to leave up to 1 km from their home.

This also means that all non-essential businesses will be forced to close, including restaurants, bars, and many shops.

There will be a travel ban between regions, while national borders with counties outside the Schengen area will be closed.

Remote work has been recommended whenever possible and colleges are set up to move their teaching schedules online.

However, unlike the first closure, schools and daycare centers will remain open. Home visits will also be allowed.

And Germany?

Mrs. Merkel has revealed that the German restrictions are a “blocking light”, starting from 2 November and lasting for four weeks.

According to the rules, bars and pubs will close, while restaurants will remain open for takeout only.

Stores will remain open with space restrictions, meaning that a maximum of one person will be allowed for every 10 square meters of store floor.

Gyms, cinemas and theaters will close, and hotels will close to tourists.

Indoor gatherings will be limited to 10 people and cannot include more than two households.

Like France, schools, nurseries and nurseries will remain open and residences will be able to admit visitors.

Chancellor Angela Merkel
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Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the new measures that will take effect on November 2

How bad is the situation in France?

On Wednesday, 36,437 new cases of COVID-19 were registered in France, compared to 33,417 the day before.

Macron noted that the figure is more likely to be between 40,000 and 50,000 “new contaminations identified every day.”

Emmanuel macron
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Emmanuel Macron said France was ‘overwhelmed’ by the second wave

This also comes after another 520 deaths on Tuesday, including 288 in the hospital within 24 hours and 235 in nursing homes during the previous four days. Both are the highest increases since May.

More than half of France’s intensive care units are also full of COVID-19 patients.

And Germany?

Another 14,964 infections were reported Wednesday, bringing the total to 449,276, according to the country’s disease control agency.

This may seem like Germany has had a more steady increase in cases than its European neighbors, but Mrs. Merkel he warned that intensive care capacity could be broken.

He said the number of people in intensive care beds had doubled in the past 10 days alone and would reach capacity if the virus continued to spread at its current rate.

Is it the same for the rest of Europe?

Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain and the Czech Republic They are also struggling to keep their respective outbreaks under control, and each of them has recently introduced additional measures.

In Italy, a record 24,991 cases were reported on Wednesday, which occurred as thousands of people protested against the re-imposition of the lockdown measures.

The national government ordered the closure of restaurants, bars, gyms and cinemas starting at 6:00 pm on Monday, while keeping night curfews for the most affected cities.

This led to clashes in various parts of the country as police dispersed protesters against the lockdown with tear gas in Milan and gasoline bombs were thrown in Turin.

Large crowds also gathered in Naples.

Police officers stand guard as protesters set fire to public property during an anti-government demonstration
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The protests have turned violent in Turin

“This time we have two enemies,” Ms Von der Leyen said this week, acknowledging that the virus and the mental restraints have had.

He noted that the “crown fatigue” was part of a “growing tiredness when it comes to precautionary measures,” but added that “now is not the time to relax.”

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