Paris, France and the nation of Iceland are taking steps to help curve outbreaks of the coronavirus before they get out of control, the Washington Post reports.
The government of Iceland ordered the closing of bars, gyms and some other businesses to cut down on people mingling after the country saw a jump in new cases over the last two weeks to 156 per 100,000 residents. The order also limits all gather to 20 people, down from the 200 person limit previously.
French Prime Minister Jean Castex ordered Paris bars to close for two weeks after the infection rate did not drop over the previous two weeks.
“These measures, indispensable in the fight to curb the virus’ spread, will apply to Paris and the three departments immediately surrounding it, for a duration of two weeks,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. Working from home should be implemented “now more than ever,” the statement said.
Last week, the French city of Marseille shut down bars and restaurants for two weeks. Right wingers in the city protested and brought unsuccessful legal challenges.
France on Sunday reported 12,565 new cases of coronavirus, while 893 COVID-19 patients had been admitted into intensive care over the past week.