France Curbs City Life in Europes Battle to Contain Virus


France introduced new measures to fight the rapid resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic in major cities, adding to risks weighing on an already slowing economic recovery in Europe.To get more news about WikiFX, you can visit wikifx official website.
　　The first significant tightening of restrictions on French daily life since the end of the lockdown in May includes closing bars at 10 p.m. in Paris and several other large urban centers. The tougher restrictions follow similar moves in the U.K., while Austria banned apres-ski partying for the upcoming winter season, as Europe reemerges at a hot spot for the disease.
　　“If we don‘t take measures rapidly, we risk being in a critical situation in some regions in a few weeks,” Health Minister Olivier Veran said in Paris late Wednesday, insisting that the government isn’t considering another nationwide lockdown.
　　France is the latest European country to change tack in the face of mounting infection rates as they try to avoid the widespread restrictions that tipped the continent into a deep recession earlier this year. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson this week abandoned his appeal for Britons to return to offices as he warned of “many more deaths” unless people obey a raft of new restrictions.
The British government is due to set out a fresh round of policies to support jobs on Thursday after abandoning plans for a fall budget. A government official said Wednesday that now is not the right time to outline long-term strategy, a sign the Treasury is preparing for months of economic disruption.


　　Read more: Lockdown Lite Is Europes New Strategy for Fighting Covid-19
　　Austria sought to save its ski season by imposing a ban on partying off the slopes after lax controls at the Ischgl resort this spring sparked lawsuits against Chancellor Sebastian Kurzs government. Restaurants and bars will only be allowed to serve seated customers under the new rules.
　　“Hundreds of thousands of jobs directly or indirectly depend on tourism,” Kurz said. “For all fans of winter sport, one thing is clear: there will be fun on the slopes, but without apres ski.”
　　Read more: Europes Economic Revival Put on Hold by Virus Resurgence
　　There are signs the prospect of harsher curbs has already hit confidence in France, which improved less than expected in September. While business leaders are more upbeat about recent activity, they are losing optimism about the outlook for their own companies and the entire services sector, national statistics agency Insee said.
　　“Today‘s measures are an extra shock to confidence as it reminds consumers that it isn’t over,” said Julien Manceaux, an economist at ING. While some sectors could be hit, “its not a general shock.”