Paris (AFP)

Faced with the resurgence of contamination by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the threat of a second wave, the authorities in several European countries have tightened their anti-Covid measures in recent weeks.

- Spain -

. On average 1,738 new cases daily during the past week, + 92% compared to the previous one

The Catalan authorities have also decided to close cinemas, theaters and nightclubs in Barcelona, ​​to ban meetings of more than ten people, visits to retirement homes and to limit reception capacity to 50% in bars and restaurants. .

Visits to retirement homes are also restricted in the Basque Country and the region of Murcia. The latter also closed from July 20 discotheques or night bars without terraces and banned gatherings of more than 15 people.

Faced with the rebound of contagions, almost all regions have reinforced the compulsory nature of the mask, which must be worn at all times in the street, under penalty of a fine.

- Portugal -

. 218 daily cases, -28%

In the Lisbon region, new home confinement since July 1 for 700,000 inhabitants of twenty districts. These measures were extended at least until the end of July.

- France -

. 823 daily cases, + 55%

A negative test will become mandatory no later than August 1 for travelers from 16 countries, including the United States, Brazil and Algeria. Failing that, travelers will have to make one on their arrival and put themselves in fourteen if it is positive.

The authorities also recommended that the French "avoid" going to Catalonia.

Wearing a mask became compulsory on July 20 in all closed establishments open to the public (administrations, shops, museums, sports and performance halls, etc.). Several coastal towns, including La Rochelle and Argelès-sur-Mer, have even imposed the open-air mask in the most frequented districts.

- Belgium -

. 318 daily cases, + 149%

From July 29 and for four weeks, the number of people that Belgians are allowed to see as part of their "contact bubble" goes from 15 to 5 people. Public events are limited to 100 people indoors (instead of 200) and 200 outdoors (instead of 400).

Since July 11, wearing a mask is compulsory for anyone aged 12 or over in closed public places (shops, cinemas, libraries, places of worship, etc.).

- United Kingdom -

. 662 daily cases, -12%

. The UK is the only country in Western Europe where the daily death toll remains high, around 65 per day.

On June 29, the British government reconfigured the city of Leicester (central England), with the closure of non-essential stores. The re-containment was partially eased on July 24. However, it is still forbidden to meet more than six people outdoors, to travel or to reopen bars, pubs and restaurants.

Wearing a mask has become compulsory in all stores in England as of July 24. This was already the case in Scotland.

The United Kingdom also reintroduced a quarantine for travelers from Spain on July 26.

- Ireland -

. 17 daily cases, -9%

The country was to fully reopen its bars on July 13 but postponed the last phase of deconfinement to August 10. Gatherings are limited to 50 people indoors and 200 outdoors while masks become mandatory in stores.

- Germany -

. 528 daily cases, + 33%

In anticipation of a resurgence, the country authorizes local authorities to take reinforced containment measures with "exit bans" in limited geographic areas. The country had so far a flexible definition of lockdowns based largely on self-discipline and goodwill.

- Austria -

. 127 daily cases, + 18%

Since July 24, the country has imposed the wearing of masks in supermarkets, post offices, banks and medical centers.

- Italy -

. 241 daily cases, + 23%

In Campania, the region of Naples, fines of 1,000 euros were imposed for the first time on July 25 against establishments where the wearing of a mask was not respected.

burs-ot-jah / mw / mc

© 2020 AFP