A Madrid court on Thursday rejected partial lockdown due to coronavirus as being "harmful to basic rights". Watch: The court asserted that it had "denied the ratification on grounds they impacted on the rights and fundamental freedoms" of the 4.

Partial lockdown 'harmful to basic rights', declares Madrid court

Some 4.8 million Madrid residents will be barred from leaving the area from Friday evening, making it the first European capital back into lockdown due to surging coronavirus cases.

'Thanks for the chaos': Madrid returns to lockdown

French health minister Olivier Veran said that authorities may place Paris on maximum virus alert amid the growing COVID-19 pandemic. Watch: "We need a few days to confirm the trends, but if they are confirmed, we'll have no choice but to put it on maximum alert, from Monday," adding,"we are in a phase where the situation is worsening.

Madrid set for partial lockdown as Paris authorities eye 'maximum virus alert'