BERLIN / PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel ordered their countries to be locked down on Wednesday, as a massive second wave of coronavirus infections threatened to overwhelm the ‘Europe before winter
Global stock markets plunged in response to news that Europe’s largest economies were imposing nationwide restrictions almost as severe as those that drove the global economy this year into its deepest recession for generations
« The virus is circulating at a speed that even the most pessimistic forecasts did not anticipate, » Macron said in a televised speech « Like all our neighbors, we are overwhelmed by the sudden acceleration of the virus »
« We are all in the same position: invaded by a second wave which we know will be harder, more deadly than the first »
Under new French measures that take effect on Friday, people will be required to stay in their homes except to buy essentials, see a doctor or exercise for up to an hour a day They will be allowed to go to work if their employer considers it impossible for them to do homework Schools will remain open
Germany will close bars, restaurants and theaters from November 2-30 as part of measures agreed between Merkel and heads of regional governments Schools will remain open and shops will be allowed to operate with limits strict access
“We have to act now,” said Merkel “Our healthcare system can still cope with this challenge today, but at this rate of infections, it will reach the limits of its capacity in a matter of weeks »
Its Finance Minister, Olaf Scholz, posted on Twitter: « November will be a month of truth The growing number of infections is forcing us to take severe countermeasures to break the second wave »
France topped 36,000 new cases per day Germany, which was less affected than its European neighbors earlier this year, has seen an exponential increase in cases
A new wave of infections has set records in the United States, six days before Election Day President Donald Trump has played down the virus and shows no signs of canceling public gatherings where his supporters often refuse to wear masks
European stock markets closed Wednesday at their lowest level since the end of May In the United States, the S&P 500 is down 3%
Reports from Reuters offices; Writing by Peter Graff and James Mackenzie; Edited by Nick Macfie, Hugh Lawson and Howard Goller
All quotes were delayed for at least 15 minutes See here for a full list of exchanges and delays
Lockdown, Coronavirus, Emmanuel Macron, France, Germany, Europe
News from around the world – GB – France and Germany fall back into lockdown as second wave COVID- 19 sweeps Europe
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
