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With over 7.2 million confirmed cases of the virus, European leaders are clambering to stop the region’s surging infections.
The issue has gone down the hill in the past day; France has announced a public health state of emergency, the United Kingdom is on the verge of a second national lockdown, and Germany has been trying to impose new rules to lower the infection rate.
The French government officially announced a public health state of emergency as hospitalizations from Covid-19 shoot up to the 9,100 thresholds for the first time since June 25, Reuters reported. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that nine of the country’s largest cities would have to follow the imposed curfew of nine in the evening to six in the morning, which will last for a month.
“We need to put a brake on the spread of the virus.”
President Emmanuel Macron
Germany has also announced new rules instead of the surging COVID-19 cases in parts of the country. Economist Greg Fuzesi from JPMorgan said municipalities should tighten restrictions f if new infections exceed 35 per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days. Along with this, there should be restrictions on private gatherings to 25 in public spaces and 15 in secluded areas.
“Apply additional mask-wearing requirements, to implement earlier closing times in bars/restaurants, and to set limits on the number of participants at public events.”
Economist Greg Fuzesi
Besides, suppose new infections exceed 50 per 100,000 inhabitants over seven days. In that case, a municipality should limit social gatherings to ten people and put a standard mandatory closing time of eleven at night for bars and restaurants.
The U.K. government has also taken another step in controlling the spread of COVID-19 y by introducing a new Covid-19 alert level system and putting some suburban areas under strict local lockdown. Many casinos, gyms, and leisure centers are closed, while pubs and bars are only open if they serve food.
London must be on a “high” risk level, wherein households’ indoor mixing will not be allowed. The opposition Labour party leader, Keir Starmer, and the government’s scientific advisors advocate for a second lockdown to act as the nation’s “circuit breaker” to stop the virus’s spread.
Deutsche Bank strategists headed by Jim Reid mentioned that Wednesday’s developments reflected “sadly yet another day of bad news out of Europe,” and cautioned that Italy also saw a sharp rise in cases.
“With Italy reporting a record number of cases at 7,332, the rise in numbers is bringing it more into line with the recent increase we’ve seen in the U.K. and France in recent weeks, though Italy’s numbers remain at lower levels by comparison.”
Jim Reid
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