随着疫苗的上市，人们原以为新冠病毒会逐渐远离自己的生活，然而由于疫苗接种进度缓慢，再加上传染力更强的新冠病毒新变种的传播，欧洲近期暴发了第三轮疫情，迫使多国重新采取严格的封锁措施。

 

A third wave of the Covid pandemic is now advancing swiftly across much of Europe. As a result, many nations – bogged¹ down by sluggish² vaccination³ campaigns – are witnessing sharp rises in infection rates and numbers of cases.

 

The infection rate in the EU is now at its highest level since the beginning of February, with the spread of new variants⁴ of the Covid-19 virus being blamed for much of the recent increase.

 

Several countries are now set to impose strict new lockdown measures in the next few days – in contrast to the UK, which is beginning to emerge slowly from its current bout⁵ of shop and school closures and sports bans.

 

In Italy, authorities recorded more than 27,000 new cases and 380 deaths on Friday. “More than a year after the start of the health emergency, we are unfortunately facing a new wave of infections,” said prime minister Mario Draghi. "The memory of what happened last spring is vivid, and we will do everything to prevent it from happening again."

 

From Monday most of Italy will be placed under lockdown and people will only be allowed to leave their homes for essential errands. Most shops will be closed, along with bars and restaurants.

 

In France, authorities have reported a similar grim situation, with health minister Olivier Véran describing the situation in the greater Paris region as tense and worrying. "Every 12 minutes night and day, a Parisian is admitted to an intensive care bed," he revealed.

 

President Macron has imposed curfews and other social restrictions⁶ in several regions, and many doctors are now pressing him to introduce a national lockdown as a matter of urgency.

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