France and Germany Shut Down by New COVID-19 Cases

New COVID-19 cases are rising in the United States and around the world. Part of this sharp increase in new infections is likely related to more testing, but there is also an increase in deaths in recent weeks in many countries. Europe has been affected by the rise of new cases as countries have opened up, and now a second wave of shutdowns is coming.

France and Germany are the latest countries to announce lockdowns on Wednesday, in an attempt to stop a mounting new wave of coronavirus infections from swamping hospitals and undoing hopes of economic recovery. These new measures severe restrictions already introduced recently in other European countries like Belgium, Italy, the Czech Republic, Ireland and the UK.

France will enter its lockdown on Friday, requiring people to stay in their homes except to obtain essential goods or services or exercise for up to one hour each day, Reuters noted. French residents will not be able to leave their homes to work unless their employer deems it necessary. Schools, however, will remain open. Just a few weeks earlier, Paris closed bars, gyms, pools, and dance halls, as well as forced restaurants in the city to take diners’ contact information and close by 10 p.m. It also follows France’s emergency declaration and nightly curfews.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered bars, restaurants, and theaters to shut down from Nov. 2 until at least Nov. 30. This is not a total lockdown as shops will be allowed to stay open with restrictions in place and schools will remain open as well. “We need to take action now,” Merkel told the wire service. “Our health system can still cope with this challenge today, but at this speed of infections it will reach the limits of its capacity within weeks.”