Germany extended its blockade for three weeks on Wednesday night, while France and Italy are contemplating stricter restrictions on Covid-19 in the face of new variants.
The German government has also defined a five-step plan to gradually remove restrictions, despite the increase in infections and the slow vaccination campaign.
“There are many examples in Europe of a third dramatic wave and this danger, we must not be mistaken, is also a danger for us,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel.
According to the plan, most blocking measures will remain in effect at least until the end of the month, but some non-essential stores may open from next week.
Additional relaxation, including the reopening of shops, museums and open-air restaurants, will only be possible in areas where infections are relatively low. The plan also foresees an increase in rapid tests, which will be mandatory to enter certain locations, such as outdoor dinners or cinemas, depending on local infection rates.
The Merkel government and state governors are under increasing pressure to lift the restrictions, but health officials continue to warn of an increase in infections. Most shops have been closed since December, restaurants and bars since November, and hotels can only accommodate business travelers.
The plan includes an “emergency brake” mechanism to return to the current blocking rules in case infection rates increase again.
On Thursday, Germany’s public health agency reported almost 12,000 new cases, similar to the previous week. The seven-day average of cases was just over 60 per 100,000 people recently, below a peak of around 200 just before Christmas.
New daily infections in Italy rose to 20,884 on Wednesday, the highest number in the past two months, according to the country’s Civil Protection Agency. Doctors attribute the increase in new cases to the circulation of more virulent virus strains. Hospitalizations for patients with Covid-19, including in intensive care units, are also increasing.
The worsening outlook is likely to cause the Italian government to impose more restrictions on some regions, such as a ban on movement between cities and the complete closure of bars and restaurants, which now open only part of the day.
In France, Prime Minister Jean Castex is due to give a news conference on Thursday about whether the government will implement new restrictions.
With the launch of the vaccine going slowly, AstraZeneca’s chief executive in France, Olivier Nataf, said the number of AstraZeneca doses administered in the country has been increasing rapidly since primary care doctors were allowed to give the injection.