Germany is to go into a hard lockdown over the Christmas period, from 16 December to 10 January, as the number of deaths and infections from the coronavirus reaches record levels. The latest figures showed 20,200 more infections and a further 321 deaths*. Non-essential shops will close across the country from Wednesday, as will schools, with children to be cared for at home wherever possible.

Under the national lockdown, essential shops, such as those selling food, will stay open, as can banks. Outlets selling Christmas trees can also continue trading. Hair salons are among the businesses which must close.

Germany had been seen as relatively successful in controlling the pandemic compared with European neighbours, thanks in part to testing and tracing. But there is a growing recognition among political leaders that what was dubbed "lockdown lite" has not achieved enough.

"If we're not careful, Germany could quickly become Europe's problem child," Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder warned. "For that reason, we had to and we must act." He did not rule out Germany extending lockdown beyond 10 January.

A number of European countries have tightened coronavirus restrictions ahead of Christmas following a surge of infections in recent weeks.

The Netherlands has entered a five-week lockdown, with non-essential shops, theatres and gyms all closing.

Germany will enter a hard lockdown from Wednesday after the number of infections there hit record levels.

Italy's daily death toll is still close to 500 and the government is considering a further tightening of measures over Christmas.

The exact details are unclear, but a new lockdown could come into place between Christmas night and New Year. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte described the potential lockdown as a "new squeeze".

Spain has also seen a rebound in infections, and top health official Fernando Simón has warned of a "delicate" situation ahead of Christmas.