The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 5,132 Wednesday, bringing the total number of infections to 334,585. The reported death toll rose by 40 to 9,677. In response to the surge in new infections, Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet with the premiers of all 16 states to discuss new rules to contain the virus.

The prime minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, said that the country was returning to a “partial lockdown” on Wednesday. The Netherlands will close bars and restaurants, ban alcohol sales, restrict opening hours of retail stores and prohibit gatherings of more than four people. Wearing of cloth masks has been made mandatory for people 13 years and older in indoor spaces, and indoor gatherings are restricted to 30 people. Schools and public transport will stay open.

Italy’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, signed a decree on Tuesday to impose new restrictions on public gatherings, restaurants, sports and school activities.as he said, the measures were being taken to prevent a nationwide lockdown. The new restrictions follow a surge in coronavirus cases. On Saturday, Italy recorded 6,000 new infections.

The UK’s opposition leader, Keir Starmer, has called for a “circuit break” lockdown to slow down coronavirus infection rates. Starmer said that the Boris Johnson-led government had "lost control" of the outbreak, after ignoring the advice of a scientific panel, which had called for tougher restrictions to curb infections. Johnson has announced a 3 – tier system to categorize areas by rates of infection to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

EU member states reached an agreement on common criteria to coordinate coronavirus travel rules, to provide clarity and predictability on measures that restrict movement due to the pandemic.