After Italy and Spain, all Europe closer to quarantine

Italy presented its strictest restrictions so far since the removal of the impasse in May and Spain, hit hard during the first wave of pandemic, imposed overnight curfew throughout the country. Local authorities can also stop travel between regions, while Prime Minister Petro Sanchez said he would ask parliament to extend the deadline of new regulations from 15 days to six months.

In Italy, continued increase in cases has started to cause a major strain on domestic health services, bringing scenes back to memory several months ago. Bars and restaurants there will have to be closed by 6:00, but shops and most businesses will continue to operate. Chancellor Angela Merkel urgently gathers today her crisis-force bowl to discuss the next steps to be taken.

The Czech government acknowledged that the measures taken recently have not stopped the number of infections, so it is considering drastic steps. Cases have risen to record levels throughout the old continent, where authorities are facing the same time as a growing opposition to movement restrictions.