continental europe is preparing for a
third wave of coronavirus amid a surge
in new cases and a shortage of vaccines
that can reduce the spread of the
disease large parts of france are going
into lockdown again tonight amid a sharp
rise in cases
only eight percent of the population has
been vaccinated
switzerland is extending its
restrictions poland where the surge is
being driven by the variant from
southern england
is going into partial lockdown the
german chancellor angela merkel has
today said it's now probable that
restrictions will have to be reimposed
too
in germany the vaccine rollout across
the eu has been slow with around 10
of the population vaccinated so far
confidence has been shaken
after more than a dozen eu countries
suspended the rollout of astrazeneca
over concerns about blood clots the
rollout is being resumed in several
countries but not yet all
here's our paris correspondent lucy
williamson
never mind the prime minister in france
it was the astrazeneca jab
that needed a shot in the arm today
after weeks of shifting guidelines
the message was meant to be clear it's
safe
and it works but only an hour before he
received it
france's health authority said a
possible link to blood clots in younger
patients
meant the jab should only be used for
those over
55. last month it said only those
under 65 should take it lucky for mr
castex that he turned 55
last year
but only 20 of french surveyed this
month said they trusted the astrazeneca
jab
as president macron held off announcing
a new lockdown
cases spiraled and paris hospitals are
now
scrambling to find space for patients
who need intensive care
a lockdown light has been imposed on the
worst affected areas from tomorrow
school it's not because it's nice out
because it's spring that we put our
lives in danger
it's not over we're still facing the
variants and people should realize the
gravity of the disease
across the border in germany angela
merkel said she too
would have the astrazeneca jab
germany had been hoping to lift some of
its restrictions next week but with
infections
soaring there a warning from the health
minister public
opinion is only half the problem
there are not yet enough vaccines in
europe to stop the third wave through
vaccination alone
even if deliveries of eu orders are now
reliable it will still take several
weeks before the risk groups are fully
vaccinated
only then can we talk about wider
openings in society
poland is also facing a surge in cases
with the british variant expected to
account soon for
80 of a partial lockdown will come into
force there from tomorrow
shops hotels and cultural and sporting
venues will close
there's acceptance breaking across
europe that it's facing a third wave in
this pandemic
hope that the vaccines might outpace the
virus
has been crushed by a grinding lack of
momentum
supply and public trust
as europe prepares for more restrictions
criticisms are mounting along with
costs empty streets can help save
patients
but delays in vaccines are expensive and
politicians could still pay the price
lucy williamson bbc news paris