Europe is preparing for the COVID-19 second wave amid outbreaks of infection in individual countries, which increases the likelihood of re-imposing quarantine restrictions, The Guardian reported.

The Belgian government has warned that a strict quarantine may be declared in the country amid a spike in the number of infected by 71% between July 17-23 - from 163 to 279 cases.

Belgium’s PM, Sophie Wilmes announced Monday a series of further restrictive measures but said a second lockdown may be inevitable.

“If we cannot reduce the coronavirus, it will be a collective failure,” Wilmes said. “Experts say it is possible to avoid another lockdown. But it must be remembered that the world’s leading scientists are incapable of knowing how the situation will develop. We must not frighten people, but neither should we abuse them by pretending to know everything.”

The Spanish region of Catalonia may also re-impose restrictions if COVID-19 outbreaks are not brought under control within 10 days. Nearly 8,000 cases have been diagnosed in Catalonia over the past 14 days – accounting for almost half of the 16,410 detected across Spain. The regional government has ordered the closure of all nightclubs and placed a midnight curfew on bars in and around Barcelona and Lleida.

In France, Health Minister Olivier Veran has called for greater vigilance after a spike in infections among young people, and Germany's public health advisory body said it is "deeply concerned" about the increase in sickness over the past few weeks.