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Coronavirus pandemic
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The Catalonia region of northeastern Spain has said bars and restaurants will close for 15 days starting Thursday as the country tries to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Across Europe, governments are introducing new restrictions to fight a second wave of infections.
The Czech Republic has closed schools and bars, Dutch cafes and restaurants are closing, and France may impose curfews.
In the Netherlands, a partial lockdown takes effect at 22:00 (20:00 GMT).
Also on Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron will detail new measures for Paris and other cities.
Across Europe, infection rates are rising, with Russia reporting a record 14,321 daily cases on Wednesday and another 239 deaths.
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But even in countries that have been more successful than most in keeping transmission low, infections are on the rise.
Germany has seen more than 5,000 new infections for the first time since April and 47 areas with an average rate of more than 50 people per 100,000 inhabitants.
Officials from Germany’s RKI public health agency speak of seeing a “rapid increase in transmission in the population.”
What is happening in Spain?
Spain currently has one of the highest infection rates in Europe, with almost 900,000 infections and more than 33,000 deaths.
The wealthy region of Catalonia seemed to have a second summer infection spike under control when it ordered people to stay home in Barcelona and other cities.
But on Wednesday, the interim leader of Catalonia, Pere Aragones, said that “it is necessary to act to avoid a total blockade in the coming weeks.”
Restaurants in the region of around 7.5 million people will only be able to serve take out food and Aragones urged people to stay home.
Gymnasiums and cultural events will be allowed to operate at 50% of their capacity, while stores and large shopping centers should be limited to 30% of their capacity.
Aragones said that the measures must be approved by a court.
Residents of the country’s capital Madrid can no longer leave the city, and bars and restaurants have a curfew at 11pm.
Will France impose a curfew?
Until President Macron confirms what the new measures will be on national television at 7:55 p.m. local time (17:55 GMT) on Wednesday, all we know for sure from the government is that “nothing has been ruled out.” . But, like all European leaders, he is doing everything he can to avoid a return to the national blockade.
image copyrightReutersThere are widespread reports that the curfews were discussed at a cabinet meeting Tuesday night, but what they would entail is unknown. Paris and Lille were under consideration as cities most likely to face a curfew at night, the BFM news channel reported.
This type of measure would imply prohibiting movement at night, except for a limited number of people, and would be carried out by a greater number of policemen in the streets. It would also affect restaurants very strongly, when bars and gyms are already closed in several cities placed on high alert.
French Guiana has been under a curfew, but the hours have been gradually shortened.
What is happening in other places?
- On Wednesday Italy recorded its largest daily increase in infections since mass testing began with 7,332 new confirmed cases. On Tuesday, the government banned restaurant, club and outdoor parties, and advised residents not to allow more than six people into their homes.
- In Portugal, meetings will be limited to five people starting Thursday. Weddings and christenings can be attended by up to 50 people, but university parties will be banned, Prime Minister Antonio Costa told a news conference on Wednesday.
- A three-week partial shutdown began late on Tuesday in the Czech Republic, with schools, college corridors, bars and clubs closed. There have been 1,106 deaths from Covid-19 since March 1, and more than 8,000 new cases were announced on Wednesday, only for the second time since the pandemic began. According to the European Union health agency ECDC, the Czech Republic has the highest infection rate in Europe over the past two weeks, with 581.3 cases per 100,000 people.
- In the UK, Northern Ireland will close schools from Monday for two weeks, which includes a half-year break, while hospitality businesses will be limited to takeout and deliveries from Friday.
- the Netherlands it is also introducing tough new measures. Facing a dramatic increase in reported infections in the last week, the Dutch government is closing bars, restaurants and cafes for four weeks and banning the sale of alcohol after 8pm on Wednesday.
- Poland has reported 116 deaths in the last 24 hours, its highest number since the start of the pandemic, and a record 6,526 new cases
- Belgian Officials warned that if current infection rates continue, the country’s 2,000 intensive care beds will be filled by mid-November.
The Dutch try to limit social interaction
Starting tonight and for at least four weeks, bars, restaurants and cafes will be closed, including those selling cannabis. They can still offer takeout.
Noah Kester, a waitress at the Bagels and Beans café in The Hague, is worried about what will happen next. He will continue to serve coffee to go, but he fears that he will have fewer work days.
“In the summer it seemed that everything was going to be fine here, until suddenly it didn’t,” he told me.
“I don’t think the government expected it either. But I don’t think it’s fair that [the hospitality sector] takes the hit when we’ve been so careful. “
A “rule of four” applies to indoor and outdoor groups.
Schools, colleges and universities will remain open and face masks have been made mandatory within closed public spaces for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Rush hour was quieter than usual this morning. People who stick to essential travel only and have been asked to work from home when possible.
The impact of the restrictions will be evaluated within two weeks. If the numbers have not started to fall by then, the Dutch health minister has warned that a total lockdown is expected.
