European countries enter new lockdown

PBC News: Several European nations are entering new lockdown to combat new waves of coronavirus infections. Meanwhile, the WHO on Friday repeated its recommendation to continue to administer shots of AstraZeneca’s vaccine.

The agency’s expert committee said the AstraZeneca vaccine has “tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths” and said “it is not certain” the blood clot cases have been caused by the vaccine.

France: New lockdown in Paris and other areas

Paris is entering a new month-long lockdown, together with several other regions in the north and the south .A total of around 21 million people in 16 areas of France will be affected. Non-essential businesses have to close, but schools and hairdressers will remain open.

People will be allowed to exercise outdoors within 10km (6 miles) of their home but are not allowed to travel to other parts of the country unless they have a valid reason.

As in previous lockdowns, those in the affected areas will have to fill out a form to explain why they have left their homes.

France has a nationwide curfew between 19:00 and 06:00.

Italy: A total shutdown over Easter

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Shops, restaurants and schools are once again closed in more than half of Italy, including in Rome and Milan.

People are required to stay at home except for work, health or other essential reasons.

For three days over Easter (3-5 April), there will be a total shutdown across the whole country.