France may impose new lockdowns as Italy plans ban on private parties
- Coronavirus – latest updates
- See all our coronavirus coverage
France has said it may be forced to impose new lockdowns, Italy is expected to ban private parties and Czech businesses are demanding state support to ease the impact of tough new restrictions as Europe’s Covid-19 second wave continues to gather pace.
The French prime minister, Jean Castex, on Monday called on people to limit gatherings in their homes, saying the country’s recent surge in new infections was placing its hospital system under increasing strain. President Emmanuel Macron is due to address the nation about possible further action to tackle the coronavirus on Wednesday.