The pan-European STOXX 600 index advanced 0.5pc to near February 2020 highs, while London's blue-chip FTSE 100 gained 0.2pc and Germany's DAX index was up 0.6pc.
Most markets in the region were subdued due to thin volumes in a holiday-shortened week. The German DAX was flat, while French and Spanish stocks slipped 0.1% each.
As daily cases in Italy hit a new record over the weekend, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte gave mayors the power to shut public squares from 9 p.m. to halt gatherings.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.8pc, recovering from its worst fall in three months, with technology stocks that have outperformed this year, rising 1.6pc.
The pan-European STOXX 600 slumped 2.2pc, further distancing itself from a one-month closing high hit last week, with Britain's banking-heavy FTSE 100 down 2.7pc.
Analysts said there was not too much concern on markets about possible tax hikes if Joe Biden beats President Donald Trump in the race for the White House.