France has recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus infections in more than two months amid growing concerns of a second wave of the virus in Europe.
Figures showed 1,695 new cases within 24 hours —the highest daily increase since May 30, when they were up by 1,828.
French authorities have strengthened public hygiene rules, with cities such as Lille, Nice and Toulouse ordering the public to wear masks in busy streets.
Paris and a number of other cities are expected to follow suit. Spain yesterday reported its highest number of new cases since it began easing lockdown restrictions in June, with 1,772 infections.
Last month, the UK removed Spain from its list of countries exempt from quarantine, meaning that people arriving from any part of Spain must self-isolate for 14 days.
It is feared a further spike in cases could see France also removed. The French government’s top scientific body said of the crisis: “The situation is precarious. We could at any moment tip into a scenario that is less under control, like in Spain. It is highly likely that we will experience a second epidemic wave this autumn or winter.”
Germany’s foreign ministry has revised its travel guidance for Belgium, warning against all non-essential travel to the province of Antwerp.
Greece’s prime minister warned of new restrictions if a worrying rise in daily cases does not abate. The country reported 124 new cases yesterday, part of a surge of what appears to be mainly domestic infections.
The global coronavirus pandemic death toll passed 700,000 late yesterday, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, which relies on official government data.
