Coronavirus: France and Germany impose severe restrictions
President Emmanuel Macron announced on Wednesday that France would go into a second national lockdown starting on Friday and lasting one month. Most schools will remain open and visits in retirement homes will remain possible. Otherwise, people may not leave their homes other than for essential reasons.
“The virus is circulating at a speed that not even the most pessimistic forecasts had anticipated,” Mr. Macron said in a televised address. “Like all our neighbors, we are submerged by the sudden acceleration of the virus.”
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced the closure of restaurants and bars, as well as gyms, theaters, museums and nail salons for a month. Schools will remain open.
European shares sank to their lowest levels in months as investors began to worry about the economic impact of the new restrictions.
For weeks, European countries have tried to slow the spread of a second wave of coronavirus infections through targeted restrictions and avoid the nationwide lockdowns that devastated economies. But the number of cases has exploded and hospitals are filling up, leaving them few options. “Within weeks we will reach the limits of our health system,” Ms. Merkel said.
Details: France reported 288 new virus-related deaths in hospitals in 24 hours Tuesday and 235 deaths in nursing homes over the previous four days, the biggest rise since May. In Germany, hospitals have seen the number of patients double in the past 10 days.
The New York Times
