Much of Europe tightens anti-pandemic rules as coronavirus surges

In line with an Italian government decision late last week, 80% of school children, from nursery to high schools, were locked out of the classroom from Monday

A plastic tape prevents people from sitting at a coffee table in Rome. Picture: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Tighter restrictions aimed at reining in surging coronavirus cases have been implemented in much of Italy and parts of Poland.

Meanwhile in France, Paris risks being slapped with a weekend lockdown as intensive care units (ICU) edge close to saturation point with Covid-19 patients.