Russia is reporting a record number of deaths and Italy is now banning parties. The virus situation looks grim in many parts of Europe.

More than 13,000 new Russian virus cases were confirmed on Tuesday – the country’s highest tally since the coronavirus outbreak. Russia has long passed the one million mark in infections and the death toll is also rising. Tuesday’s 244 confirmed COVID-19 deaths are the highest daily toll yet.

Italy is once again on par with the record numbers from the spring. Now the government is taking action – starting Tuesday, house parties, amateur sports and late nights out are banned, as bars and restaurants are now only allowed to serve seated guests after 9 p.m. 

”"Parties are prohibited indoors and outdoors. In private homes, it is strongly recommended to avoid parties and not invite more than six people," reads the decree signed by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet with his cabinet on Tuesday to discuss possible expanded restrictions to tackle the country's second wave of infections. At the beginning of the week, more than 1,500 people were being treated in intensive care units in the country - a figure last measured in late May. The new measures, which are believed to include local curfews, will be presented in a televised speech on Wednesday evening. 

Several European countries are expected to announce new restrictions this week after increasing infection rates. On Monday evening, Prime Minister Boris Johnson presented a new plan to combat the spread of the virus in the United Kingdom. The country's cities and regions are now divided into three categories according to the current situation there. This means that residents of Liverpool and Merseyside face, among other things, closed pubs, gyms, arcades and casinos.

Source: TT