World Health Organization (WHO)  special envoy for Covid-19 has said that
Europe may have to go through a third wave of coronavirus cases due to its incomplete response and failure to strengthen the infrastructure
necessary to fight off the pandemic during the summer months, Reuters reported on
Sunday.

“They missed building up the necessary infrastructure during
the summer months, after they brought the first wave under the control,” the
WHO’s David Nabarro said in an interview with Swiss newspapers.

“Now we have the second wave. If they don’t build the
necessary infrastructure, we’ll have a third wave early next year,” said
Nabarro, a Briton who campaigned unsuccessfully to become the WHO director
general in 2017, according to the Reuter report.

Several countries in Europe are battling a fresh surge in
the number of coronavirus cases.

Britain was forced to go for a second country-wide lockdown
last month. It is due to lift the lockdown on December 2.

According to reports, the British Prime Minister has said that
the lockdown will be lifted but restrictions will still be in place. The pubs
will not be allowed to stay open beyond 10 pm, except for a festive week during
Christmas, when they’d be allowed to extend the closing time till 11 pm.

Nabarro praised the Asian countries for their early adoption
of preventive measures against coronavirus, and sticking with them, as he criticised European ones for not capitalising on the time during summer.

He also questioned the sagacity of opening of certain ventures – like ski resorts in Switzerland. 

“Once the infection rates sink, and they will sink, then we
can be as free as we want,” he said. “But right now? Should ski resorts open? Under
what conditions?”

According to Reuters report, Germany and France on Saturday added
33,000 coronavirus cases combined, while Switzerland and Austria continue to
register thousands of cases daily. Turkey too reported a record 5,532 new
infections on Saturday.