Germany starts ‘wave-breaker’ shutdown as Europe locks down

Partial lockdown is under way in Germany (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Several European countries have tightened coronavirus restrictions as authorities across the continent scramble to slow a rapid rise in infections that threatens to overwhelm healthcare systems.

Germany launched its partial lockdown on Monday, with Austria set to follow suit later in the week, while Italy, Greece and Kosovo have also announced new measures.