Global cases top 30 million, Europe imposes fresh curbs after WHO warning

Europe is looking at broad new restrictions as infections across the world topped 30 million. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has already warned of "alarming rates of transmission".

According to an AFP tally, more that 943,000 people have lost lives due to Covid-19 after its emergence in China last year. Europe accounts for more than 200,000.

France is going to roll out new curbs for its main cities, Britain is attempting to limit gatherings of people. Governments across Europe are battling fresh spikes of the disease.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

WHO regional director for Europe Hans Kluge said a surge seen this month "should serve as a wake-up call" after the continent recorded 54,000 infections in a single day last week -- a new record.

"Although the numbers reflect more comprehensive testing, it also shows alarming rates of transmission across the region," Kluge told an online news conference from Copenhagen.

Spain

Madrid, capital of Spain said it had been overwhelmed by the virus and called for 'decisive' action from the central government. Spanish Government is set to announce new restrictions on Friday.

Madrid officials warned that the region's healthcare system was coming under increasing pressure, with one in five hospital beds occupied by Covid patients amid a second wave of the illness.

Anxiety has been growing in the city about the prospect of a return to lockdown after a top regional health official on Wednesday raised the possibility for the worst-hit areas.

"It would be bad for shops, for small businesses and little bars that survive on people coming in," said 55-year-old Maribel Quesada.

"People are really sick of being at home, the (spring) lockdown was very difficult."

Britain

In Britain, new curbs will take effect Friday, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning that pubs may have to close earlier to help avoid a "second hump" of infections.

About two million people in northeast England, including in the cities of Newcastle and Sunderland, will no longer be allowed to meet people outside their homes. Only table service will be allowed in bars and entertainment venues will have to close by 10pm.

The government already imposed rules across England on Monday limiting socialising to groups of six or fewer, as daily cases reached levels not seen since early May.

France

French authorities are also preparing tighter restrictions in several cities to curtail a resurgence that has seen nearly 10,000 new cases per day in the past week.

Health minister Olivier Veran said Lyon and Nice would be under new rules by Saturday, after curbs on public gatherings were imposed this week in Bordeaux and Marseille.

A French association of Covid-19 victims plans to file a legal complaint against Prime Minister Jean Castex, its lawyer said.

Israel to enforce second nationwide shutdown

Meanwhile, Israel is set to become the first developed country in the world to enforce a second nationwide shutdown, beginning Friday afternoon.

The move sparked protests in Tel Aviv late Thursday when hundreds took to the streets against the restrictions, which are set to take effect just hours before Jewish New Year and will cover other religious holidays including Yom Kippur.

"The economy is in freefall, people are losing their jobs, they're depressed," said 60-year-old Yael.
"And all this for what? For nothing!"

The country has the world's second-highest virus infection rate after Bahrain, according to AFP figures. Under its new measures, residents will be limited to within 500 metres (yards) of their home.

As anger grows over how authorities worldwide have responded to the virus, some governments are facing legal action from citizens for alleged failures.

China

Suits have also been filed in China by bereaved relatives but many have had them abruptly rejected, while dozens of others face pressure from authorities not to file, according to people involved.

Families of victims accuse the governments in Wuhan and Hubei province, ground zero for the global pandemic, of concealing the outbreak when it first emerged, failing to alert the public, and bungling the response, allowing Covid-19 to explode.

"They say the epidemic was a natural calamity. But these serious outcomes are man-made, and you need to find who's to blame," said pensioner Zhong Hanneng, whose son died with the virus.

"Our family is shattered," she added. "I can never be happy again."