BERLIN: Germany on Monday led a further tightening of coronavirus restrictions in Europe that have triggered anger and frustration across the continent, while the Covid-19 crisis in the United States deepened.
The virus has infected more than 46 million people worldwide, with close to 1.2 million deaths, and the acute outbreaks in Europe and America sparking further alarm about the state of the already devastated global economy.
To curb the spike in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has ordered a round of shutdowns from Monday until the end of the month.
Germans will not be confined to their homes, but bars, cafes and restaurants must close, as well as theatres, operas and cinemas.
The sadness was palpable at the renowned Bavarian State Opera House in Munich as it prepared to close.
It is “a slap”, said baritone Michael Nagy, unable to hide his tears.
England prepared for fresh stay-at-home orders, following in the steps of Austria, France and Ireland, with many expressing anxiety about the economic cost of the four-week shutdown due to take effect from Thursday.
Tighter lockdown rules were also set to kick in Monday for Belgium, which has the most Covid-19 cases per capita in the world. Portugal, too, has ordered a partial lockdown starting on Wednesday.
And in France, Prime Minister Jean Castex said supermarkets would be barred from selling “non-essential” items from Tuesday to protect small shopkeepers who have been forced to close.
Spain has already imposed a nighttime curfew, and almost all of its regions have implemented regional border closures to prevent long-distance travel.
The Italian government is expected to announce new restrictions on Monday, according to news reports, with the health minister pushing for a countrywide lockdown.
ANGER AND PROTESTS
The threat of the virus was illustrated further on Sunday when the head of the World Health Organization announced that he was self-quarantining after someone he had been in contact with tested positive.
“I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine over the coming days, in line with @WHO protocols, and work from home,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a tweet, stressing the importance of complying with coronavirus guidance. But the ongoing tightening of virus rules and restrictions has sparked anger in people weary of confinement and the painful economic costs.
That frustration has led to protests in many parts of the world, especially Europe, with some leading to violent skirmishes with police. Protesters in several Spanish cities clashed with security forces for a second night on Saturday, police said, with vandalism and looting breaking out in some parts. — AFP
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