Europe Imposes Coronavirus Restrictions after Alarming Surge of Infections

COPENHAGEN, KOMPAS.com – Several parts of Europe introduced new coronavirus restrictions after global infections hit 30 million, and the WHO warned of alarming rates of virus transmission.

The broad coronavirus restrictions imposed affected those in the UK and France.

The British government is limiting gatherings and France is set to enforce new curbs for major cities on Friday.

Governments across the continent have been battling a recent uptick of Covid-19 cases.

Read also: Finland Travel Restrictions Reinstated as Second Wave of Infections Hit Europe

More than 943,000 people have now died from Covid-19 since it first emerged in China late last year, according to an AFP tally, with Europe accounting for more than 200,000.

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.

The Spanish capital of Madrid said it had been overwhelmed by the virus and called for "decisive" action from the central government, which is set to unveil a raft of new restrictions Friday.

Madrid officials warned that the region's healthcare system was coming under increasing pressure, with one in five hospital beds occupied by coronavirus 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."

Read also: Coronavirus Cases in Spain Surpass 400,000 as Virus Transmission Increases

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.