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Coronavirus: Restrictions tighten as Europe battles second wave

Countries across Europe are seeing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases after slowing outbreaks. Governments are eyeing restrictions that curb the spread of the virus whilst avoiding lockdowns in a bid to protect businesses.

  • Empty tables and chairs at a Berlin restaurant (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

    Germany extends list of cities under coronavirus clampdown

    Munich became the latest major city to exceed Germany’s key coronavirus threshold. In the capital Berlin, authorities have implemented a nighttime curfew — the first in 70 years — in response to a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases. All Berlin businesses are required to close by 11 p.m. at least until the end of October. The number of people allowed to meet outside at night is limited to five.

  • A woman and a man about in Prague (Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)

    The Czech Republic weighs national lockdown

    The Czech Republic, previously hailed for its COVID-19 response, is now teetering on the brink of a second lockdown. A state of emergency has been in force since October 5. Face masks are compulsory and churches — where singing is prohibited — are limited to 10 people. Shopping centers have been instructed to switch off Wi-Fi to put off young people from gathering.

  • A person in a mask holding up a sign (SOPA Images/ZUMA Wire/picture-alliance)

    Spanish government granted exceptional powers

    Spain’s Cabinet has ordered a 15-day state of emergency in Madrid to combat the rising number of coronavirus cases. The move allowed the government to enforce quarantine measures across the country, prompting protests. The measure came after the Madrid regional government had rejected calls from the national government to enforce stricter measures to control the epidemic.

  • A chef serving customers in Paris (Kiran Ridley/Getty Images)

    Police go undercover in France to enforce restrictions

    Bars in Paris remain closed after a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Two additional cities, Toulouse and Montpellier, have raised their alert to the maximum level. On Saturday, France recorded nearly 27,000 cases — its highest daily tally since the outbreak. In Paris and its suburbs, police carried out checks to ensure bars were closed and restaurants were ensuring social distancing.

  • Four pupils study in a classroom (Reuters/K. Pempel)

    Despite surge in cases, schools remain open in Poland

    Poland has rolled out new measures to curb the pandemic after reporting record infections for a fifth straight day, but schools remain open. People aged between 60 and 65 have special shopping hours every morning from 10 a.m. to noon. Wearing of masks in public is now mandated for everyone all the time. The country of 38 million has so far recorded 121,638 confirmed cases and 2,972 deaths.

  • Many young people at a game in Bratislava (Pavel Neubauer/dpa/picture-alliance)

    Slovakia: No more than 6 can gather

    In Slovakia, a maximum of six people can gather as of 13 October, though family members are an exception. Face masks are compulsory and all public events are banned, including religious services in churches. Fitness and wellness centers are shut, while restaurants are prohibited from serving meals indoors. This September 30 photo shows hockey fans in Bratislava protesting coronavirus measures.

  • A sign promoting social distancing in London (Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images)

    Three-tier alert system goes live in England

    The government has introduced a three-tiered alert system for coronavirus cases in England. The new system classifies all areas as either "medium", "high" or "very high" risk. Liverpool, in northwest England, is expected to be in the highest tier, which will see restrictions tightened, such as closing gyms, pubs, and casinos.


  • Empty tables and chairs at a Berlin restaurant (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

    Germany extends list of cities under coronavirus clampdown

    Munich became the latest major city to exceed Germany’s key coronavirus threshold. In the capital Berlin, authorities have implemented a nighttime curfew — the first in 70 years — in response to a dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases. All Berlin businesses are required to close by 11 p.m. at least until the end of October. The number of people allowed to meet outside at night is limited to five.

  • A woman and a man about in Prague (Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)

    The Czech Republic weighs national lockdown

    The Czech Republic, previously hailed for its COVID-19 response, is now teetering on the brink of a second lockdown. A state of emergency has been in force since October 5. Face masks are compulsory and churches — where singing is prohibited — are limited to 10 people. Shopping centers have been instructed to switch off Wi-Fi to put off young people from gathering.

  • A person in a mask holding up a sign (SOPA Images/ZUMA Wire/picture-alliance)

    Spanish government granted exceptional powers

    Spain’s Cabinet has ordered a 15-day state of emergency in Madrid to combat the rising number of coronavirus cases. The move allowed the government to enforce quarantine measures across the country, prompting protests. The measure came after the Madrid regional government had rejected calls from the national government to enforce stricter measures to control the epidemic.

  • A chef serving customers in Paris (Kiran Ridley/Getty Images)

    Police go undercover in France to enforce restrictions

    Bars in Paris remain closed after a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. Two additional cities, Toulouse and Montpellier, have raised their alert to the maximum level. On Saturday, France recorded nearly 27,000 cases — its highest daily tally since the outbreak. In Paris and its suburbs, police carried out checks to ensure bars were closed and restaurants were ensuring social distancing.

  • Four pupils study in a classroom (Reuters/K. Pempel)

    Despite surge in cases, schools remain open in Poland

    Poland has rolled out new measures to curb the pandemic after reporting record infections for a fifth straight day, but schools remain open. People aged between 60 and 65 have special shopping hours every morning from 10 a.m. to noon. Wearing of masks in public is now mandated for everyone all the time. The country of 38 million has so far recorded 121,638 confirmed cases and 2,972 deaths.

  • Many young people at a game in Bratislava (Pavel Neubauer/dpa/picture-alliance)

    Slovakia: No more than 6 can gather

    In Slovakia, a maximum of six people can gather as of 13 October, though family members are an exception. Face masks are compulsory and all public events are banned, including religious services in churches. Fitness and wellness centers are shut, while restaurants are prohibited from serving meals indoors. This September 30 photo shows hockey fans in Bratislava protesting coronavirus measures.

  • A sign promoting social distancing in London (Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images)

    Three-tier alert system goes live in England

    The government has introduced a three-tiered alert system for coronavirus cases in England. The new system classifies all areas as either "medium", "high" or "very high" risk. Liverpool, in northwest England, is expected to be in the highest tier, which will see restrictions tightened, such as closing gyms, pubs, and casinos.


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