Panicked Europe battens down against 2nd wave

European countries have begun to close schools and cancel surgeries, going well beyond curbs on social life, as overwhelmed authorities face their nightmare scenario of a Covid-19 resurgence right before the onset of winter. 

Most European nations eased lockdowns over the summer to start reviving economies already heading for unprecedented downturns and job losses from the pandemic's first wave. But the return of normal activity - from packed restaurants to new university terms - fuelled a sharply-rising spike in cases all over the continent.

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Bars and pubs were among the first to shut or face earlier closing in the new lockdowns, but now the surging infection rates are also testing governments' resolve to keep schools open and non-Covid medical care going.

Moscow authorities said yesterday they would introduce online learning for many students starting on Monday, while Northern Ireland announced a two-week schools' closure.

French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to unveil further restrictions yesterday, with media reporting that city curfews are under consideration. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson faces opposition calls to impose another national lockdown in England, but has so far resisted.

Meanwhile, another late-stage Covid-19 medical trial has been paused. US pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly on Tuesday suspended its Phase 3 trial of its lab-produced antibody treatment in hospitalised patients over an unspecified incident.

Meanwhile, expert yesterday said the restrictions imposed during the pandemic have caused an unprecedented fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the first half of 2020 -- larger than during the 2008 financial crisis and even World War II.