European markets closed higher Tuesday as investors hoped that the region could be seeing a plateau in the coronavirus outbreak.

The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed up 1.7% at 326.61, with travel and leisure stocks surging 6.2% to lead gains, as all major bourses finished in positive territory.

Markets in Europe were also reacting to news overnight that U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson had been moved to intensive care as his coronavirus symptoms worsened. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is temporarily taking over the prime minister's duties while Johnson is hospitalized.

On Tuesday, a spokesman for the prime minister said he was still in intensive care and getting "standard oxygen treatment,” but has not required a ventilator or "non-invasive” respiratory support.

Source : CNBC