BERLIN, Nov 2, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Germany on Monday led a further tightening
of coronavirus restrictions in Europe that have triggered anger and
frustration across the continent, while the Covid-19 crisis in the United
States deepened.
The virus has infected more than 46 million people worldwide, with close
to 1.2 million deaths, and the acute outbreaks in Europe and America sparking
further alarm about the state of the already devastated global economy.
To curb the spike in Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel has ordered a round
of shutdowns from Monday until the end of the month.
Germans will not be confined to their homes, but bars, cafes and
restaurants must close, as well as theatres, operas and cinemas.
The sadness was palpable at the renowned Bavarian State Opera House in
Munich as it prepared to close.
It is “a slap”, said baritone Michael Nagy, unable to hide his tears.
England prepared for fresh stay-at-home orders, following in the steps of
Austria, France and Ireland, with many expressing anxiety about the economic
cost of the four-week shutdown due to take effect from Thursday.
Tighter lockdown rules were also set to kick in Monday for Belgium, which
has the most Covid-19 cases per capita in the world. Portugal, too, has
ordered a partial lockdown starting Wednesday.
And in France, Prime Minister Jean Castex said supermarkets would be
barred from selling “non-essential” items from Tuesday to protect small
shopkeepers who have been forced to close.
Spain has already imposed a nighttime curfew, and almost all of its
regions have implemented regional border closures to prevent long-distance
travel.
The Italian government is expected to announce new restrictions on Monday,
according to news reports, with the health minister pushing for a countrywide
lockdown.
– Anger and protests –
The threat of the virus was illustrated further Sunday when the head of
the World Health Organization announced that he was self-quarantining after
someone he had been in contact with tested positive. “I am well and without
symptoms but will self-quarantine over the coming days, in line with @WHO
protocols, and work from home,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a tweet,
stressing the importance of complying with coronavirus guidance.
But the ongoing tightening of virus rules and restrictions has sparked
anger in people weary of confinement and the painful economic costs.
That frustration has led to protests in many parts of the world,
especially Europe, with some leading to violent skirmishes with police.
Protesters in several Spanish cities clashed with security forces for a
second night Saturday, police said, with vandalism and looting breaking out
in some parts.
There has already been violence in several Italian cities, as well as
Czech capital Prague recently.
The unrest over virus restrictions has not been limited to Europe.
Riots took place in several Argentinian jails on Saturday, as prisoners
demanded the resumption of visits during the pandemic.
– ‘A whole lot of hurt’ –
The health situation is also deteriorating in the United States, which is
gearing up for the election showdown between President Donald Trump and his
Democratic rival Joe Biden on Tuesday.
It is the worst-affected country in the world with 9.2 million infections
and more than 230,000 deaths, and the pandemic has been front and centre
during the bitter election campaign. With cases surging again, experts have
warned of more devastation.
Top government scientist Anthony Fauci told the Washington Post in an
interview that the US is “in for a whole lot of hurt”.
In Mexico, parades were cancelled and cemeteries closed on Sunday during
the Day of the Dead festival, in which people normally deck their homes,
streets and relatives’ graves with flowers, candles and colourful skulls.
Many remembered those who have passed in the privacy of their homes, as
authorities urged people to avoid gatherings.
Janet Burgos decorated an altar with confetti, fruit and a photograph of
her mother Rosa Maria, who died in June aged 64 from suspected Covid-19.
“Now I begin to see what the Day of the Dead really represents,” she said.