Tue 28 April 2020:
Around the world the pandemic has killed more than 209,000 people and infected more than three million, with the highest death toll — over 55,000 — in the United States, according to an AFP tally.
Well over half of all deaths are in Europe, with the toll hitting 126,233 on the continent Monday.
With some of Europe’s worst-hit nations reporting drops in daily death counts, governments are exploring how to relax confinement orders exacting their own damaging economic and psychological tolls.
Italy, the first European country to go into lockdown seven weeks ago, began allowing some construction and factory workers to go back to work on Monday.
Restaurants can offer takeout and wholesale stores can resume business on the same day, with other shops following on May 18, along with museums and libraries.
Germany, which started lifting restrictions last week, has seen small but regular protests against remaining curbs on personal freedom.
Starting Monday, masks became obligatory on public transport and in most shops in Germany, a measure residents described as both necessary and irksome.
– ‘Sacrifice’ –
In Spain, which began easing one of the world’s tightest coronavirus lockdowns on Sunday, people will be allowed out for exercise and to take walks from May 2.
Spain and France were to announce more detailed plans on Tuesday.
France’s lockdown, which started on March 17, will begin to be lifted on May 11, under plans to be unveiled by Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
Schools will reopen gradually. But the government has already said that restaurants, cafes and cinemas will remain closed for the time being and large public gatherings prohibited.
In Switzerland, Croatia and Serbia, many small shops were back in business on Monday, while children in Norway returned to primary school.
Hairdressers, florists, dentists and others went back to work in Switzerland in the first stage of a three-phase plan.
“I’m delighted that we’re starting up again. If we don’t work, things are dead,” hairdresser Anita Ayma said in Geneva.
With the UK starting to “turn the tide” of an outbreak that has killed more than 21,000, Johnson warned against any hasty moves.
Looking thinner and with his blond mane longer after his hospital stay, the 55-year-old said he could not “throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people and to risk a second major outbreak.”
Responses varied elsewhere as leaders grapple with how to balance public safety with personal freedoms and economic relief.
In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari said the lockdown in the largest city Lagos and capital Abuja will be eased from May 4 but the wearing of facemasks will be mandatory.
Meanwhile, millions of Muslims around the world are adjusting to an unusual Ramadan without the mass prayers in mosques or large family meals that normally frame the daily fasting.
Saudi Arabia partially lifted its curfew, but said it would maintain a round-the-clock lockdown in the holy city of Mecca.
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