German federal government and states are set to extend the Covid-19 lockdown to March 28, according to a draft document seen by news agencies. Chancellor Angela Merkel and the heads of Germany's states will discuss the measures extension today.

Germany started today a shy return to normality with hairdressers reopening for business, along with hardware stores and flower shops in certain states, news wires reported. However, lack of decline in infections means most coronavirus rules will remain in place so far.

Slovakia will tighten anti-epidemic restrictions from 3 March in order to try to limit the Covid-19 spread, news wires reported. The government of PM Igor Matovic released details of the new measures after several days of debates with experts as the country has ranked among the world's worst-hit by the third coronavirus wave.

The Dutch government notched up a victory in its bid to retain a contentious coronavirus night-time curfew that has sparked protests and a legal challenge, dpa reported.

Italians rushed back to coffee bars on Monday as restrictions were eased across most of the country, news wires reported. After severe curbs over the Christmas and New Year period, two-thirds of Italy was declared a “yellow zone” allowing bars in those less risky areas to serve customers at counters and tables again.

Germany will not be able to lift all measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus at the beginning of February, Health Minister Jens Spahn said, stressing the need to further reduce contacts to fend off a more virulent strain of the virus, Reuters reported.

Hungary will extend existing restrictions, including a nighttime curfew, until 1 February to curb the coronavirus infections spread, PM Viktor Orban told state radio on Friday. He added that student is secondary schools would continue online learning.

The pandemic situation in Switzerland remains serious despite restrictions introduced last month, Interior Minister Alain Berset said at a news conference today. “The infections have remained at more or less the same level since the beginning of December,” he pointed out.

The reopening of cafés, bars and restaurants in France, originally scheduled for 20 January, will not happen as planned, French media reported, citing government sources. According to them the reopening "definitely won't be on January 20th" after several ministers including Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said that the reopening could not be guaranteed. A meeting of the Defence Council, which deals with health restrictions, has been scheduled later on Monday.

France decided to impose an earlier curfew in 15 northeastern and southeastern departments from Saturday to combat the spread of the coronavirus, starting at 6 p.m. instead of 8 p.m., the government said on Friday.