Europe Becomes Covid Epicentre Again As Cases Rise. Austria, Germany, Others Mull Fresh Curbs

Ahead of the Christmas celebrations, countries including Netherlands, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic are taking or planning measures to curb the spread.

(File Photo/ AFP)

New Delhi: In what could be an early indication of yet another wave of Coronavirus, several countries of Europe are deliberating over reimposing curbs and even lockdowns to avoid becoming epicentre of the pandemic again. 

Ahead of the Christmas celebrations, which will start kicking in next month and rising debate over the significance of vaccines to lower down Covid-19 impact, countries including Netherlands, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic are taking or planning measures to curb the spread, a report by news agency Reuters stated.

According to Reuters tally, Europe accounts for more than half of the average 7-day infections across the globe and about half of the latest deaths, the highest levels since April last year when the virus was at its initial peak in Italy.

A report by World Health Organization (WHO) for the week to November. 7 showed that Europe, including Russia, was the only region to record a rise in cases, up 7 per cent, while other areas reported declines or stable trends.

Likewise, it reported a 10 per cent increase in deaths, while other regions reported declines.

While the Dutch government is reportedly planning a partial lockdown to curb the sudden rise in Covid infections, German lawmakers are mulling legislation that would pave the way for new measures. 

Even Austria government, earlier in the day, announced that unvaccinated people in two regions will only be able to leave home for specified reasons starting next week. The government is also considering to implement similar measures nationwide.

Austria has witnessed one of the most serious outbreaks in Western Europe, along with Germany, which has reported a string of record-high infections in the recent past.

Other European countries such as The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia have also tightened restrictions.