USA / Be vigilant after big spike in China plague: Trump to European leaders

Washington: Donald Trump has urged European leaders to be 'strong and vigilant' after a 'big spike in the China plague' on the continent, promising that the disease 'will run its course'.

The US president, who tested positive for the disease ten days ago and has been strongly criticsed for his virus response, promised that 'vaccines and cures are coming fast' in an early-morning tweet from Washington.

He also used the European figures to hit out at his critics, saying they were held up earlier in the pandemic 'as examples of places that are doing well, in order to make the U.S look bad'.

Trump spoke as European leaders warned of a new round of coronavirus lockdown measures this week, just days after restrictions came into force in Spain, France and Germany.

Angela Merkel's chief of staff said on Monday that a country-wide cap on the number of people allowed at gatherings and a ban on non-essential travel may be necessary if infections continue to rise.

Just hours earlier, an 11pm curfew came into effect on bars and restaurants in Berlin and Frankfurt after both cities breached a limit of 50 Covid cases per 100,000 people. Six other cities were also placed in emergency measures on Sunday, with Munich added to the list early Monday.

In France, Prime Minister Jean Castex warned that full-scale local lockdowns could be on the cards if curbs on bars and restaurants already in place in nine cities including Paris and Marseille do not bring infections down.

Mr Castex warned of a 'strong second wave' and that 'nothing can be ruled out' when it comes to the response, though said another full-scale lockdown of the country must be 'avoided by all means'. Emmanuel Macron is due to give a nationwide address on Wednesday.

Meanwhile Spain and Italy were both due to bring in new restrictions this week, as protests took place in both countries against leaders' handling of the pandemic. 

Measures now under consideration in Europe include...

France - Full-scale lockdowns of regions and cities were coronavirus is spreading widely, which could see citizens confined to their homes except for essential activities. Toulouse and Montpellier have been added to a list of cities already under additional measures, including a curfew on bars and restaurants

Germany - Country-wide caps on the number of people allowed to meet in one group, and restrictions on non-essential travel, either within or to and from affected regions. Eight cities, including Berlin and Frankfurt, are already subject to the restrictions after emerging as centres of infection, with Munich added on Monday

Italy - Ban on private gatherings of more than 10 people, 10-person limit at weddings, 15-person limit at funerals, ban on amateur contact sport involving more than six people. Announcement expected today 

Spain - Catalonia, the region where Barcelona is located, and Navarra were placed under additional measures on Sunday including curfews for bars and restaurants, work from home orders for offices, and limits on the number of people who can meet to six

Cases of coronavirus have been rising sharply across Europe in recent weeks as students return to schools and universities, though increased testing means the figures are not comparable to those seen during the first wave.

Deaths have remained far below their first-wave peak, suggesting that many of the new cases are moderate or mild infections that were missed during the first wave due to a shortage of tests.

However, an increase in demand for hospital beds and increased intensive care admissions suggests the disease is circulating more rapidly than it did over the summer. 

There is typically a lag between countries putting measures into place and those measures showing in data. 

Experts have previously criticised governments for implementing measures too quickly or all at once, making it unclear which ones are responsible for reducing infections. 

In Italy, ministers are preparing to issue first round of lockdown measures, with an announcement possible today.

The new rules are set to include a ban on private parties, a limit weddings to 10 guests, and to impose social distancing in workplaces and ban amateur sports involving more than six people. 

The government will also reduce to 10 days from 14 days the quarantine period necessary for people who have come into contact with an infected person, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said, in line with other countries.

In Spain, a report has warned that Barcelona could be just 15 days away from seeing infection levels similar to those in Madrid, one of Europe's worst-hit cities.

Parts of the Spanish capital have already been placed back into full-scale lockdown - meaning people are confined to their homes except for essential business - with curbs put in place for other neighbourhoods. 

Catalonia and Navarra announced new coronavirus restrictions on public life on Sunday, which includes work from home orders for businesses in Barcelona.

Universities were also asked to move their classes online during the next 15 days to reduce 'social interactions'. 

In Navarra, which is home to around 650,000 people, gatherings as of Tuesday will be limited to six people, bars and restaurants must close at 10 pm and their capacity will be limited to 30 per cent.

Capacity at cinemas, theatres and libraries will reduced to 30 percent while supermarkets will be limited to 40 percent, regional leader Maria Chivite added.

Meanwhile the Spanish royal family are taking part in a Los Reyes celebration in Madrid that has been massively scaled down from its previous military parades due to the pandemic.

Kings Felipe and Queen Letizia watched the parade, along with Princess Leonor and Princess Sofia. Just 500 troops participated, down from the usual 3,000. A reception at the Royal palace was also scrapped.