EU - Second Wave Coronavirus: Europe braces for impact of 2nd-wave pandemic restrictions - by Chantal Da Silva ·

Millions of residents across Europe are bracing for what is likely to be a difficult winter ahead.

After making the necessary sacrifices to get through the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring, Europeans enjoyed a period of relative freedom — to return to schools and bars, fly between countries and go on holiday.

But rising infections in the last month have forced governments to consider tightening restrictions again. While some countries have seen COVID-19 case numbers return to what they were before the spring, others are being hit harder than ever.

For example, the Czech Republic warned earlier this week that the country's medical system could be on the brink of a breakdown.

"We are in danger of collapsing here," Interior Minister Jan Hamacek warned Czech media earlier this week. If the current outbreak, which saw a record 9,721 cases confirmed within a 24-hour period on Thursday, is not contained soon, Hamacek said, there will be "corpse freezers in the streets."

Europe braces for impact of 2nd-wave pandemic restrictions | CBC News

How Europe is ramping up restrictions to prevent a coronavirus resurgence

Here is an overview of recent restrictions being imposed in countries across Europe, including localised lockdowns, mandatory testing and obligations to wear face masks among others.

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The Local

EU - Coronavirus: How is the EU preparing for a second wave?

The EU Commission has admitted that the response to the first wave of coronavirus was not Europe's finest hour, but it is drawing on the lessons learnt to prepare for a possible second wave.

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Coronavirus: How is the EU preparing for a second wave? | Euronews

NATO nations agree to stockpile medical equipment to prepare for second pandemic wave

Defence ministers from NATO nations agreed today to stockpile medical equipment — and to ask member nations to contribute to an emergency fund to buy even more supplies — as the alliance braces for a second wave of the pandemic.

Preparations to respond to future pandemic waves preoccupied the ministers during their two-day teleconference meeting, hosted by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels. The COVID-19 crisis even overshadowed what, in normal times, would have been headline-grabbing disagreements among the allies.

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NATO nations agree to stockpile medical equipment to prepare for second pandemic wave | CBC News

Coronavirus latest: World fears second wave of infections

Germany's transmission R-rate climbed above 1, meaning the disease could once again start to spread out of control. New cases have appeared in Asia, threatening the fight against the virus. Follow DW for the latest.

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https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-latest-world-fears-second-wave-of-infections/a-53383336