Europe is the Pandemic Epicenter Once Again, Says WHO

In late January, the first cases of coronavirus in Europe were reported in Germany and France. By March, most of the world was on lockdown as the virus rapidly spread. Ten months after the first case, European countries are implementing the second round of lockdown.

Unlike the first lockdown where much of the world had not known much about the virus as everyone stayed home and tried to make sense of what was happening, the second lockdown has sparked protests. Some citizens are fighting against the government's restrictions as well as fear of economic hardships as businesses temporarily close again.

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that England is just a few days away from lockdown. The decision was made soon after the case count reached one million.

Europe's Second Lockdown

Lockdown will only be a month-long, he announced, saying that now is the time to act "to contain the autumn surge." All non-essential businesses, pubs, and restaurants will close once again while schools and universities will remain open. Non-essential travel is not encouraged, but those returning from abroad would have to follow the nation's quarantine rules.

The government hopes that by December 2, the virus will be contained and England won't have to extend the lockdown or have another one in the future. The Office for National Statistics currently estimates that nearly one out of 100 people in England are positive for coronavirus. In July, it was estimated that there was only one case out of every 2,300 people.

Meanwhile in Belgium, returning a strict lockdown was decided so that the healthcare system would not collapse, said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Lockdown will remain until December 13 after they recorded the second-highest number of infections per 100,000 people in the European Union.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron said that coronavirus "is circulating at a speed that even the most pessimistic had not predicted." The second round of lockdown will not be as strict as the first with schools and businesses remaining open. However, the new regulations will stay in place at least until the first of December and maybe relaxed if the infection rate goes down.

Protests and Opposition

Italy, who became the world's epicenter in March, is now dealing with violent protests after the government's implementation of closing down bars, restaurants, and cinemas by 6pm. There may soon be a national curfew at 9pm as well as a travel ban within regions to contain Covid-19 cases.

The protestors are fighting for their jobs and economic stability, a movement seen across the globe. Minister Luciana Lamorgese said that the violence is one way that the protestors are "exploit[ing] the social and economic discomfort of this difficult moment. "

In total, Europe has recorded more than 10 million cases since January. Over 1.5 million cases were confirmed at the end of October alone. The death toll has increased by over 30% while hospitalization rates were worse than the first wave of the pandemic. It seems that Europe is at the epicenter of the pandemic again, said Hans Kluge from the World Health Organization.

Check out more news and information on Coronavirus on Science Times.