Amid a surge of COVID-19 cases in the country, Belgium has reintroduced social restrictions such as asking members of the public to work from home after reporting the highest single-day rise since May this week. Germany, held has an example of how to battle the virus, has also seen a huge rise in cases causing virologists in the state to warn drastic measures may need to be taken. There have now been 4,127 new cases in the last week in Germany, an increase from 2,385 two weeks ago.
Despite having one of the lowest mortality rates, virologist Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit stated it could be in a nightmare situation if they do not stop the spread now.
The virologist from the University of Hamburg told ARD: “In the worst case, if we really get a second wave – I define that as our health system being overwhelmed – then we won’t be able to get around very dramatic, very drastic measures.
“But that’s exactly what we want to avoid.
“Now travellers are being added to the mix as well – there are many clusters which politicians but also scientists will have to react to.”
Coronavirus: Second wave begins in Europe (Image: GETTY)
Coronavirus: Even Germany has expressed concern (Image: PA)
The country reported six new deaths on July 29 and an additional 684 new cases.
In Belgium, there has been a sharp rise in cases with a further 673 reported on July 30 forcing Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes to admit her concern over a similar outbreak to what was seen in March.
She said this week: “If we cannot reduce the coronavirus, it will be a collective failure.
“We know that if we do not intervene drastically, even the start of the school year could be undermined.
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EU news: Sophie Wilmes (Image: PA)
“We want to avoid the situation of March which was very trying on a human level, especially for the weakest among us.
“Our aim is clear – avoid another full lockdown.
“We are acting again today to keep the situation under control and to prevent a general lockdown.”
Both Germany and the UK have now placed travel restrictions on Spain as cases in the northern region of Catalonia have spiked dramatically.
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Coronavirus: Spain has seen a rise in cases (Image: PA)
Coronavirus: The UK announced the ban on Spain this week (Image: PA)
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Spain now has one of the highest numbers of cumulative cases per 100,000.
As reported by the centre, Spain has a registered 49.2 cases per 100,000, higher than Germany (8.7) and the UK (14).
Due to this, UK tourists returning to Britain will now need to self-isolate for 14 days.
This includes the Balearic Islands as the UK Government has advised against all non-essential travel to the country.
Coronavirus cases worldwide as of July 29 (Image: PA)
Amid the rise in cases, the Prime Minister warned of a second wave spreading across Europe.
On Tuesday, Boris Johnson said: “Let’s be absolutely clear about what’s happening in Europe, amongst some of our European friends, I’m afraid you are starting to see in some places the signs of a second wave of the pandemic.
“Clearly we now face, I’m afraid, the threat of a second wave in other parts of Europe and we just have to be vigilant and we have to be very mindful.
EU news: Travellers will now need to quarantine (Image: PA)
“We are always looking at ways in which we can mitigate the impact of the quarantine, try to help people, try to make sure that the science is working to help travellers and holidaymakers.
“At the moment you have got to stick with the guidance that we are giving, we have given the guidance now about Spain and about some other places around the world.
“I’m afraid if we do see signs of a second wave in other countries it is really our job, our duty, to act swiftly and decisively to stop travellers coming back from those places seeding the disease here in the UK.”