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Europe deploys range of new measures to mitigate against coronavirus second wave

A couple sits in a cafe covering with masquito net to protect the wasp and also keep social distance in Cologne, Germany - NurPhoto
A couple sits in a cafe covering with masquito net to protect the wasp and also keep social distance in Cologne, Germany - NurPhoto

The resurgence of coronavirus in Europe has left governments with a major headache.

The rules they began to relax in the summer appear to have led to a new surge in infections.

So do they stick firmly and trust people follow social distancing rules? Or is it time to introduce new measures like the UK's 'rule of six'?

National lockdowns have largely been ruled out - for now. But policy changes limiting gatherings, mandatory mask wearing, as well as sharp curbs on restaurants and bars are gathering pace.

Spain

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +35 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 263.2

Now very much the sick man of Europe, Spain is battling the most serious second spike on the continent - detecting around 10,000 new cases per day and with an average positivity rate from testing of 12 per cent.

Restrictive measures had been reintroduced, including localised lockdowns and a midnight curfew for nightlife, relatively early for Spanish culture.

Madrid is the region of greatest concern with transmission more than double the national average. From September 7,the city began limiting gatherings to 10 people.

France

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +87 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 135.1

Despite shocking new daily infection rates, the French government held its nerve on Friday and avoided fresh draconian restrictions on a par with Britain.

Rather than firing off new lockdown orders from Paris as infections grow, the prime minister has put the onus for introducing any new restrictions on local authorities.

Marseille, southern France, Bordeaux to the West and the overseas département of Guadeloupe, are all of deep concern and may impose stricter rules next week, Jean Castex said.

Meanwhile, a further 2,000 people will be recruited for the country’s track and trace system, whilst the mandatory self-isolation period will be reduced from 14 to seven days despite the rising caseload.

Switzerland

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +31 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 54.3

Switzerland appears to be taking France's infection rate more seriously.

It too has seen a steady rise in cases, which on Friday topped 500 for the first time since April.

So on Friday, the country said it was imposing a ten-day quarantine on most of France - nine out of 13 regions including the Paris area, as well as Vienna in neighbouring Vienna.

Despite the regional restrictions, Switzerland has exempted the border regions in France and other neighbouring countries from the new quarantine order, set to take effect from Monday.

Austria

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +45 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000:  55.9

Austria reimposed its compulsory facemask requirement in shops, public transport and schools this week amid a rise in infections.

Private social gatherings have been limited to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors, but there are higher limits for professionally organised events of 1,500 indoors and 3,000 outside.

Members of Swiss Parliament are seen during the autumn session with new plexiglass dividers in place and pandemic-related legislation up for debate - AFP
Members of Swiss Parliament are seen during the autumn session with new plexiglass dividers in place and pandemic-related legislation up for debate - AFP

Belgium

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: -18 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 54.0

After a sharp uptick in new cases during the summer, Belgium has seen a levelling off of its second outbreak. Cases were more than doubling every fortnight at the back end of July, but case load for September is decreasing.

In a move cited by UK officials this week, at the end of July Belgium announced a tightening of restrictions, with the number of people allowed in each household’s social bubble decreasing from 15 to five. The number of people allowed to attend indoor and outdoor events both halved, reduced to 100 and 200 respectively.

The northern port city of Antwerp even announced a night-time curfew from 11.30pm to 6am. Despite these tight controls, football clubs have been granted an exemption to crowd limits and fans will be allowed back into stadiums from this weekend.

Portugal

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +74 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 51.3

Portugal - long on the UK's quarantine list - is also seeing an uptick in the number of cases, with Friday’s 687 confirmed positives in one day the worst since the harshest moment of the first wave on April 16.

From next Tuesday, gatherings will be limited to 10 people. Restricted opening and capacities will be placed on many kinds of commercial establishments and no alcohol will be sold, except in restaurants, after 8pm.

Denmark

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +63 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 35.7

Denmark's leading intensive care doctor warned on Friday that a new round of lockdown restrictions might soon be necessary, as this autumn's spike in coronavirus cases starts to be reflected in hospital admissions.

Gatherings of more than 50 were banned in Copenhagen this week, and employees in the public sector were ordered to work from home. Elsewhere, gatherings are limited to 100 and home-working encouraged.

Counter-protesters against a demonstration against Corona restrictions in Hannover, northern Germany - Shutterstock
Counter-protesters against a demonstration against Corona restrictions in Hannover, northern Germany - Shutterstock

Germany

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +0.4 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 21.0

New infections began to rise sharply in August, peaking at 2,034, but since then the curve has flattened again.

This week, The National Association of Public Health Doctors recommended further loosening of restrictions, saying: “We can switch off panic mode”.

Talks to agree a nationwide limit of 25 people for private gatherings failed last month, and each region still imposes its own limit, ranging from 10 in Lower Saxony to 1,000 in Berlin.

Quarantines for holidaymakers returning from hotspots over the summer was avoided with compulsory tests at airports, railway stations and borders. But the scheme is to be discontinued at the end of September because it is using up too much testing capacity.

Sweden

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: -27 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 24.0

Sweden this week saw the number of cases rise for the first time since mid-August, something state epidemiologist Anders Tegnell attributed partly to a sharp increase in testing.

The nation has taken a relaxed approach compared to much of Europe during the pandemic, and is unlikely to see many restrictions introduced as a result.

At the start of the month, Mr Tegnell said that the over-70s could soon stop self-isolating, meaning they will be able to celebrate Christmas with their families.

Italy

Biweekly percentage increase in cases: +64 per cent

Biweekly cases per 100,000: 32.0

In June, it looked as though the country had managed to subdue the pandemic, but optimism was short lived. On Thursday, there were 1,597 new cases and 10 deaths. The day before, 1,434 new cases were registered.

There have been no moves to tighten the rules, however.

The northern region of Lombardy, which includes Milan, remains the hardest hit. There is no equivalent to Britain’s “rule of six” and no limit on the number of people who can meet, but between 6pm and 6am, people are required to wear masks if they are in big gatherings.

Additional reporting by Nick Squires, Henry Samuel, Justin Huggler, James Crisp, Richard Orange and James Badcock.