Faced With Second Wave, Europe Tightens Virus Measures

Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jul, 2020 ) :Fresh outbreaks of the coronavirus have led many European countries to tighten measures as they battle to prevent its spread again.

Here is an overview of recent developments, including localised lockdowns and obligations to wear face masks among others: - Spain - The number of daily notified cases has climbed to 1,738 or 92 percent more than the previous week.

From July 17, almost four million residents in Spain's second city Barcelona have been urged to stay home by the Catalan regional government.

The government also ordered the closure of cinemas, theatres and nightclubs and banned gatherings of more than 10 people. Restaurants must limit capacity to one-half the usual number.

Since July 15, people have also been told to stay home in and around the Catalan city of Lerida, a measure affecting around 250,000 people.

Faced with a resurgence of infections, many Spanish regions, although not Madrid, have tightened the requirement to wear masks.

In those regions, masks must now be worn at all times in the street and in enclosed public spaces.

- Portugal - Lisbon has reported 218 daily cases, a decline of 28 percent from the previous week.

Lockdown at home has been the rule since July 1 for 700,000 inhabitants in the capital region.

That measure has been extended at least until the end of July.

- Britain - London has reported 662 daily cases, a weekly decline of 12 percent.

Britain is the only western European country where the number of daily deaths remains high however, at around 65 per day.

On June 30, the central city of Leicester began a localised two-week lockdown with non-essential shops shutting. The restriction had now been partially eased.

Facemasks -- already compulsory in Scotland -- are now also mandatory in all English shops and supermarkets as of July 24.

On July 26, Britain introduced a quarantine for visitors from Spain.

- Ireland - Dublin has reported 17 daily cases, a decline of nine percent.

Having initially planned to open bars fully from July 13, the date was pushed back to August 10 owing to a resurgence of cases. Gatherings are limited to 50 people indoors and 200 outdoors, and wearing masks in shops will be compulsory.

- France - Paris has reported 823 daily cases, an increase of 55 percent.

A negative virus test will become mandatory at the latest on August 1 for visitors from 16 countries, including the United States, Brazil and Algeria. Otherwise travellers are to be tested on arrival and go into quarantine if positive.

The authorities have advised against travel to Catalonia.

- Belgium - Brussels has reported 318 daily cases, a surge of 149 percent.

From July 29, and for four weeks, the number of people who can gather together has been reduced to five from 15.

Public events are limited to 100 people indoors, instead of 200 previously, and 200 outside, instead of 400.

Wearing a mask was made compulsory from July 11 for everyone over the age of 12 in enclosed public spaces including shops, cinemas, libraries and places of worship.

- Germany - Berlin has reported 528 daily cases, an increase of 33 percent.

Despite being less affected by the pandemic than many neighbours, Germany's Federal and regional governments have agreed on tougher, targeted lockdown measures to contain local outbreaks and ward off the threat of a second coronavirus wave, including a ban on travel "in and out of the affected areas." -Austria - Vienna has reported 127 daily cases, a rise of 18 percent On July 24, masks became mandatory in supermarkets, post offices, banks and medical centres.

- Italy - Rome has reported 241 daily cases, an increase of 23 percent.

In Campania in the southern Naples region, a 1,000-euro ($1,180) fine was imposed on July 25 in establishments that allow clients to go without masks.