Europe Readies New Virus Curbs as Leaders Weigh Economic Hit
Italy Working on Tighter Measures to Tackle Pandemic Resurgence
(Bloomberg) --
European nations are preparing tougher measures to contain the coronavirus as infections surge toward a “tipping point,” even as leaders express concerns that new restraints will decimate the region’s already fragile economy.
The continent has again emerged as a global hotspot, with countries from Spain to Ukraine posting record increases in recent days. Authorities are struggling to devise restrictions that slow the spread while not pushing the economy over the edge and sparking public unrest.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted a cabinet-level meeting Monday to discuss the latest developments, but decisions on new measures -- such as testing in nursing homes and isolating travelers from high-risk areas -- aren’t expected until she meets with the premiers of the country’s 16 states on Wednesday. Like other countries, Germany is focusing on local restrictions rather than a national lockdown. The chancellor warned on Friday that the country is reaching a watershed moment that will determine whether it regains or loses control of the disease.
Leaders in other countries are urging pandemic-weary citizens to toe the line. French Prime Minister Jean Castex implored people to adhere to hygiene and distancing rules to avoid another general lockdown.
“I’m not asking for anything revolutionary,” the premier said on France Info radio, warning of a “very strong” resurgence of Covid-19.
France added Toulouse and Montpellier to a list of cities placed on maximum alert, meaning bars, casinos and exhibitions will close while restaurants, cinemas and museums will have to abide by stricter health rules. Infections in the country surged by nearly 27,000 on Saturday.
Italian, Czech Measures
Concerns for the economy were underscored Monday when Italy’s Saras SpA, the biggest oil refiner in the Mediterranean, agreed with unions to furlough all of its 1,378 workers through the first half of next year to mitigate the damage caused by the pandemic. The company plans to run its Sarroch refinery at a “technical minimum” level in October and November.
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is expected to order new measures targeting nightlife, social events and amateur sports, while urging companies to boost remote working. Under a decree that could be issued as early as Monday evening, bars and restaurants may have to close by midnight, and people could be prohibited from gathering outside between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. At the Vatican, four members of the Swiss Guard -- which protects the pope -- were placed in isolation over the weekend after testing positive.
In the Czech Republic -- the European country with the worst outbreak per-capita -- the government plans to approve more stringent distancing rules. The steps under consideration include further curbs on outdoor gatherings, more limits on opening hours for restaurants and restrictions on alcohol sales. Finance Minister Alena Schillerova said the measures will be an “improved version” of the quarantine regime from March, but not quite a lockdown.
Belgium’s 14-day incidence rose to 387 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, making the country the second-hardest hit in Europe. More than 10% of tests performed in the past week produced a positive result, the highest rate since late April. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will likely announce stricter measures on Tuesday evening, according to local media reports.
In the U.K., Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce a new system of alert levels that would see millions of Britons subject to more stringent curbs on their everyday lives. Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van Tam on Saturday warned of a situation similar to before the nationwide lockdown began in March.
Poland is considering whether to introduce a state of emergency if cases start to clog up the health system, Dziennik Gazeta Prawna newspaper reported, citing unidentified people from the government. The move would allow authorities to allocate healthcare workers to hospitals where they’re needed most amid concerns about staffing. The number of respirators in use in the country jumped more than 80% in the past week.
In Portugal, the virus’s spread for the first time reached the government’s inner circle, after Science Minister Manuel Heitor tested positive. Prime Minister Antonio Costa and other members of government who were tested last night had negative results.
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