Europe Represses Restrictions, Increases Infectations, Vaccination Campaign Slows

Italy reported nearly 19,000 new infections and 280 victims Saturday, and the government has decided to raise the level of risk of pandemic in some regions, even exacerbating restrictions on March 1st. Among them, Basilica and Molia are included in the red area, with the highest level of expansion. There the trips will be fully banned, closing all ineligible shops.

The number of people who resulted positive in France increased to nearly 24 thousand on Saturday, while the victims were 185. More than 60 cities southeast of France and the northern region of Dunkirk had the first weekend of the lockdown this Saturday. France, which has secured 7.7 million doses of Pfizer vaccines, Modernna and AstraZeneca, continues to lag behind with the campaign of immunization. About 2.9 million people, or 2.33 per cent of the population, have received the vaccine, and only 1.5 million of them have both doses.

The Hungarian government decided to extend restrictions by 15 March, amid increasing the number of incidents. Authorities warn that the situation will be even more dramatic in the coming weeks.

Prague I also returns isolation from Monday, while Germany, Europe's largest economy, reiterates concerns that new coronary variants could reverse the progress noted so far. Chancellor Angela Merkel said all data suggest a third wave of pandemic, and many regions are preparing for another lockdown.