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Europe, With Eye on Italy Coronavirus Quarantine, Plans Next Moves Europe, With Eye on Italy Coronavirus Quarantine, Plans Next Moves
(3 days later)
LONDON — Italy’s sweeping lockdown of its north reverberated through Europe on Sunday, fueling fears of similarly draconian measures from London to Berlin, as officials grappled with how to slow the rapid-fire spread of the coronavirus in several of the world’s most open and democratic societies.LONDON — Italy’s sweeping lockdown of its north reverberated through Europe on Sunday, fueling fears of similarly draconian measures from London to Berlin, as officials grappled with how to slow the rapid-fire spread of the coronavirus in several of the world’s most open and democratic societies.
No other European country has yet gone as far as hard-hit Italy. But with confirmed cases of the virus spiking to more than 1,000 in France and 900 in Germany, both countries moved to halt large public gatherings, as their leaders called emergency meetings to step up the response to the epidemic.No other European country has yet gone as far as hard-hit Italy. But with confirmed cases of the virus spiking to more than 1,000 in France and 900 in Germany, both countries moved to halt large public gatherings, as their leaders called emergency meetings to step up the response to the epidemic.
Italy’s decision to quarantine a quarter of its population, paralyzing its economic heartland and affecting about 15 million people, sent tremors throughout Europe’s economy. It will deprive German carmakers of critical parts, force factories in other parts of Europe to close and almost certainly tip the continent into recession, according to analysts.Italy’s decision to quarantine a quarter of its population, paralyzing its economic heartland and affecting about 15 million people, sent tremors throughout Europe’s economy. It will deprive German carmakers of critical parts, force factories in other parts of Europe to close and almost certainly tip the continent into recession, according to analysts.
It is also testing Europe’s unity, which was already frayed by Britain’s departure from the bloc six weeks ago. Officials in Brussels appealed fruitlessly to France, Germany and the Czech Republic to lift controls on the export of protective medical gear, which they imposed to head off shortages at home. In Britain, some stores began imposing peacetime rationing.It is also testing Europe’s unity, which was already frayed by Britain’s departure from the bloc six weeks ago. Officials in Brussels appealed fruitlessly to France, Germany and the Czech Republic to lift controls on the export of protective medical gear, which they imposed to head off shortages at home. In Britain, some stores began imposing peacetime rationing.
Until now, Italy has stood alone as a hot zone in Europe, the first Western country to endure a large-scale outbreak of a virus that originated in China. But as the number of confirmed cases surges in virtually all of Italy’s neighbors, it now looks less like a frightening exception than a harbinger of things to come.Until now, Italy has stood alone as a hot zone in Europe, the first Western country to endure a large-scale outbreak of a virus that originated in China. But as the number of confirmed cases surges in virtually all of Italy’s neighbors, it now looks less like a frightening exception than a harbinger of things to come.
The dispute has laid bare the limitations of the European Union in dealing with a continentwide public health crisis. Health is traditionally the province of member states: With different health systems, as well as different levels of infection, countries are intent on charting their own responses.The dispute has laid bare the limitations of the European Union in dealing with a continentwide public health crisis. Health is traditionally the province of member states: With different health systems, as well as different levels of infection, countries are intent on charting their own responses.
The epidemic is already disrupting daily life in Europe in ways large and small. The European Central Bank, which is expected to inject cash into the financial system this week to cushion the blow from the virus, will keep most of its 3,500 workers home on Monday to test how it would cope with a shutdown.The epidemic is already disrupting daily life in Europe in ways large and small. The European Central Bank, which is expected to inject cash into the financial system this week to cushion the blow from the virus, will keep most of its 3,500 workers home on Monday to test how it would cope with a shutdown.
A British supermarket chain, Tesco, began rationing antibacterial soap, wipes, and pasta after shoppers emptied the shelves — an uncharacteristic display of nerves in a society that prides itself on its sang-froid.A British supermarket chain, Tesco, began rationing antibacterial soap, wipes, and pasta after shoppers emptied the shelves — an uncharacteristic display of nerves in a society that prides itself on its sang-froid.
“We’re seeing in Italy the acknowledgment that containment has largely failed, and that the virus is spreading,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “You could see this response in any European country where you’re able to enforce these lockdowns.”“We’re seeing in Italy the acknowledgment that containment has largely failed, and that the virus is spreading,” said Devi Sridhar, director of the global health governance program at Edinburgh University. “You could see this response in any European country where you’re able to enforce these lockdowns.”
In Germany, where the government had taken a more hands-off approach to curbing the coronavirus, the health minister changed tack on Sunday, urging that large-scale events be called off or postponed, although he stopped short of delivering a formal ban, as was imposed last month by Switzerland.In Germany, where the government had taken a more hands-off approach to curbing the coronavirus, the health minister changed tack on Sunday, urging that large-scale events be called off or postponed, although he stopped short of delivering a formal ban, as was imposed last month by Switzerland.
No deaths have yet been reported in Germany, but the number of cases spiked to 903 on Sunday. That was apparently enough to make officials rethink their practice of allowing local and regional authorities make decisions about calling off events, and trusting citizens to make wise decisions.No deaths have yet been reported in Germany, but the number of cases spiked to 903 on Sunday. That was apparently enough to make officials rethink their practice of allowing local and regional authorities make decisions about calling off events, and trusting citizens to make wise decisions.
“I emphatically encourage events with more than 1,000 participants to be called off until further notice,” the health minister, Jens Spahn, told the German news agency D.P.A., citing the “dynamic developments in recent days.”“I emphatically encourage events with more than 1,000 participants to be called off until further notice,” the health minister, Jens Spahn, told the German news agency D.P.A., citing the “dynamic developments in recent days.”
In France, which has reported 19 deaths and 1,126 people infected, the government has banned all gatherings of more than a thousand people. The authorities closed schools in two hard-hit regions, Oise and Haut-Rhin.In France, which has reported 19 deaths and 1,126 people infected, the government has banned all gatherings of more than a thousand people. The authorities closed schools in two hard-hit regions, Oise and Haut-Rhin.
On Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron met with his defense council as France prepared to move to a “Stage Three” level of preparedness to combat the epidemic. That would include stricter health security protocols to avoid overburdening hospitals by keeping people with mild symptoms at home.On Sunday, President Emmanuel Macron met with his defense council as France prepared to move to a “Stage Three” level of preparedness to combat the epidemic. That would include stricter health security protocols to avoid overburdening hospitals by keeping people with mild symptoms at home.
France has also moved to secure medical supplies by keeping masks, hand gels and other protective gear inside the country, despite pleas from officials in Brussels to share supplies with other European Union nations. With reports of masks being stolen from hospitals and price gouging of essentials like hand gels, fraud authorities and the police have gone into high alert.France has also moved to secure medical supplies by keeping masks, hand gels and other protective gear inside the country, despite pleas from officials in Brussels to share supplies with other European Union nations. With reports of masks being stolen from hospitals and price gouging of essentials like hand gels, fraud authorities and the police have gone into high alert.
The export bans on masks and other protective gear “risk undermining our collective approach to handle this crisis,’’ said Janez Lenarcic, the European Union’s commissioner for crisis management.The export bans on masks and other protective gear “risk undermining our collective approach to handle this crisis,’’ said Janez Lenarcic, the European Union’s commissioner for crisis management.
In France, where 300,000 students will not go to school on Monday and thousands of employees have been forced to work from home, officials still said they hoped to avoid a lockdown on the scale of Italy’s.In France, where 300,000 students will not go to school on Monday and thousands of employees have been forced to work from home, officials still said they hoped to avoid a lockdown on the scale of Italy’s.
“We will not paralyze the economic and social life of the country,” the health minister, Olivier Véran, told the French newspaper Libération, even as he said the country would “take all necessary measures.”“We will not paralyze the economic and social life of the country,” the health minister, Olivier Véran, told the French newspaper Libération, even as he said the country would “take all necessary measures.”
Spain, which has reported 13 deaths and more than 500 cases, has also resisted a more sweeping response. The authorities have called off some large events, like the Barcelona marathon. But others went ahead, including rallies in Madrid and other cities to celebrate International Women’s Day. The government has also not closed schools.Spain, which has reported 13 deaths and more than 500 cases, has also resisted a more sweeping response. The authorities have called off some large events, like the Barcelona marathon. But others went ahead, including rallies in Madrid and other cities to celebrate International Women’s Day. The government has also not closed schools.
“We don’t have a situation in Spain where, on a country level, we can be thinking about a general and uncontrolled transmission situation,” said Fernando Simón, the head of Spain’s coordination center for health alerts and emergencies.“We don’t have a situation in Spain where, on a country level, we can be thinking about a general and uncontrolled transmission situation,” said Fernando Simón, the head of Spain’s coordination center for health alerts and emergencies.
Some European experts contend that locking down entire parts of countries inflicts an economic cost that could be greater than the health risk from the epidemic. They worried that China’s recent success in curbing the spread of coronavirus, after it quarantined the city of Wuhan and Hubei Province, would encourage more countries to consider a similar course.Some European experts contend that locking down entire parts of countries inflicts an economic cost that could be greater than the health risk from the epidemic. They worried that China’s recent success in curbing the spread of coronavirus, after it quarantined the city of Wuhan and Hubei Province, would encourage more countries to consider a similar course.
“We are in a world where viruses like this one will appear more and more often,” said François Bricaire, a member of France’s Academy of Medicine and a specialist in infectious diseases. “If every time the countries react this way, we will bring the whole economy down.”“We are in a world where viruses like this one will appear more and more often,” said François Bricaire, a member of France’s Academy of Medicine and a specialist in infectious diseases. “If every time the countries react this way, we will bring the whole economy down.”
Updated July 16, 2020 Updated July 22, 2020
Growth in Europe was close to zero even before the coronavirus began to empty out airports and force the cancellation of trade fairs.Growth in Europe was close to zero even before the coronavirus began to empty out airports and force the cancellation of trade fairs.
Volkswagen, which was already struggling with ruptured supply chains because of the outbreak in China, now faces the loss of the components from Italy, which is a more important source of parts for many carmakers than the Chinese manufacturers.Volkswagen, which was already struggling with ruptured supply chains because of the outbreak in China, now faces the loss of the components from Italy, which is a more important source of parts for many carmakers than the Chinese manufacturers.
“It now looks inevitable that the initial supply-side and trade shock will morph into a demand shock and we could see a long period of disruption,” Ángel Talavera, head of European economics at Oxford Economics in London, wrote in a note to his clients on Friday.“It now looks inevitable that the initial supply-side and trade shock will morph into a demand shock and we could see a long period of disruption,” Ángel Talavera, head of European economics at Oxford Economics in London, wrote in a note to his clients on Friday.
The rapid spread of the virus posed a challenge to European governments in how to communicate with the public.The rapid spread of the virus posed a challenge to European governments in how to communicate with the public.
In Britain, where the number of cases rose to 273, officials expressed concern about the spread of disinformation about the risks posed by the epidemic. Medical experts said Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other British officials needed to strike a balance between a measured response and preparing people for more aggressive actions in the weeks to come.In Britain, where the number of cases rose to 273, officials expressed concern about the spread of disinformation about the risks posed by the epidemic. Medical experts said Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other British officials needed to strike a balance between a measured response and preparing people for more aggressive actions in the weeks to come.
“The Italians took very drastic action because the lid was already open,” said Bharat Pankhania, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School in England. “Our steps should be measured. We don’t want to take draconian measures that would shut down society.”“The Italians took very drastic action because the lid was already open,” said Bharat Pankhania, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School in England. “Our steps should be measured. We don’t want to take draconian measures that would shut down society.”
Still, he said the speed of the spread meant that the authorities could well have to decide, on a moment’s notice, to ban public gatherings. “I don’t think that message has been brutally articulated,” he said.Still, he said the speed of the spread meant that the authorities could well have to decide, on a moment’s notice, to ban public gatherings. “I don’t think that message has been brutally articulated,” he said.
The difficulty of striking that balance was on vivid display in Germany, where matches in the German soccer league took place on their regular schedule. Among them was a well-attended game in a stadium in Mönchengladbach that holds 54,000 people, just miles from the county of Heinsberg, which has recorded more than 200 cases — the highest concentration of infections in the country.The difficulty of striking that balance was on vivid display in Germany, where matches in the German soccer league took place on their regular schedule. Among them was a well-attended game in a stadium in Mönchengladbach that holds 54,000 people, just miles from the county of Heinsberg, which has recorded more than 200 cases — the highest concentration of infections in the country.
Stephan Pusch, the county commissioner in Heinsberg, questioned the wisdom of going ahead with the game. He ordered local schools to remain closed for a second week and called off smaller events in the region. But on Sunday, he insisted that he would not order a general lockdown.Stephan Pusch, the county commissioner in Heinsberg, questioned the wisdom of going ahead with the game. He ordered local schools to remain closed for a second week and called off smaller events in the region. But on Sunday, he insisted that he would not order a general lockdown.
“I categorically rule out the idea,” Mr. Pusch said in a video posted to Facebook on Sunday. Such a drastic measure, he said, would damage “the basis of trust in which we have been dealing with one another.”“I categorically rule out the idea,” Mr. Pusch said in a video posted to Facebook on Sunday. Such a drastic measure, he said, would damage “the basis of trust in which we have been dealing with one another.”
Reporting was contributed by Steven Erlanger from Brussels, Melissa Eddy from Berlin, Jack Ewing from Frankfurt, Liz Alderman, Constant Méheut from Paris and Raphael Minder from Madrid.Reporting was contributed by Steven Erlanger from Brussels, Melissa Eddy from Berlin, Jack Ewing from Frankfurt, Liz Alderman, Constant Méheut from Paris and Raphael Minder from Madrid.