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Several countries in Europe have announced new coronavirus restrictions in some of their largest cities after recent increases in infections.
Spain, Greece, Denmark and France imposed new measures on virus hot spots, while Italian health authorities have warned that the average age of coronavirus patients are increasing, with the risk of more hospital admissions and deaths.
Infections have risen steadily in most of Europe over the past two months, and more than half of European countries have seen an increase of more than 10% in the past two weeks.
On Friday, Madrilenians were told they would need a reason to leave their neighborhoods, parks will be closed, and shops and restaurants will have to work at half capacity.
Cases have continued to rise in the Spanish capital, despite restrictions on nightlife and limiting group interactions to a maximum of 10 people.
Spain has the highest number of new coronavirus infections in Europe, and Madrid’s transmission rate is more than double the national average.
The country recorded 239 coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday, the highest number in a single day since cases began to surge again in early July.
Triage tents installed outside a military hospital in Madrid
In France, which has also seen a recent spike in infections, more restrictions have been introduced in the southern city of Nice.
Gatherings of more than 10 people in public spaces have been prohibited and the opening hours of bars are being restricted.
More than 13,200 new cases were recorded on Friday, France’s highest daily count since the start of the pandemic.
Greece is introducing stricter restrictions in the greater Athens region, while intensifying testing and creating quarantined hotels.
From September 21 to October 4, gatherings of more than nine people will be prohibited in the capital, with the exception of restaurants, bars and cafes.
Some 339 new infections were reported in Greece on Friday, and nearly half of them in the Athens metropolitan area.
In total, there have been 14,000 confirmed cases and 327 deaths across the country.
Denmark has lowered the limit for public gatherings to 50 people from 100 and ordered bars and restaurants to close early, after the country recorded 454 new infections on Friday.
Meanwhile, Iceland has ordered entertainment venues and pubs in the capital area to close for four days starting September 18.
People dancing in a bar in Reykjavik, Iceland
Italy, once the epicenter of the virus in Europe, is not experiencing the huge increases in infections seen in some of its neighboring countries.
But the health institute warned that young people are beginning to infect older family members at home, with an average age of positive cases last week of 41 years compared to 30 years in August.
Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the number of COVID-19 cases in Europe now exceeds those reported in March.
WHO regional director for Europe, Dr. Hans Kluge, told a news conference: “The September case numbers … should serve as a wake-up call for all of us.
“While these numbers reflect more comprehensive testing, they also show alarming transmission rates across the region.”
