PARIS – France and Poland reintroduced partial lockdowns as both countries battle a sharp rise in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections.
Some 21 million people in 16 areas of France are affected as the country fears a third wave.
In Poland, non-essential shops, hotels, cultural and sporting facilities are closed for three weeks.
The country has the highest new daily rates of COVID-19 cases since November.
COVID-19 cases are rising exponentially in Germany, with Chancellor Angela Merkel warning it is likely that the country will need to apply an “emergency brake” and re-impose lockdown measures.
The vaccine rollout across the European Union has been hindered by delayed deliveries, as well as the suspension in several countries of the use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, over fears of possible side effects.(BBC)
