Europe took its first tentative steps towards a return to normality on Monday as some countries re-opened businesses. And several other nations have announced they are preparing to ease their lockdown restrictions in the coming days. Spain and Italy – the two European countries worst hit by the coronavirus outbreak have re-started some industries. While Germany is considering opening schools from Monday. Millions of Spanish workers returned to their jobs on Monday after Madrid lifted the curbs. On non-essential industries. Builders, cleaners, construction, factory, and shipyard employees allowed back to work. As police handed out millions of masks on the country’s metro, train and bus networks. Non-essential industries shut down two weeks ago as the virus peaked and deaths hit more than 900 a day.
The relaxation came as it recorded its lowest number of new infections (3,477 ) for more than three weeks, with its daily death toll down to 517. Spain prime minister “Pedro Sanchez,” said social distancing and the ban on nonessential travel will remain. But that there could be a progressive and very cautious relaxation of measures ‘in two weeks.
Spain & Italy
Deaths in Spain and Italy account for a third of the global toll. But today, Italy also begins a phased return to normality after its rise in new infections fell to 2 %. Its death toll topped 20,000 after 566 died on Monday down from a peak of 919 just over two weeks ago.
The country will consider relaxing further measures after nonessential shops. Such as book stores and children’s clothes shops, reopen today. Social distancing measures ban on non-essential travel. And the closure of non-essential industries will remain in place. On Monday, French President “Emmanuel Macron” announced that the country’s lockdown would last until at least May 11.
Several other European countries, such as Austria, Denmark, and the Czech Republic are also set to loosen their lockdowns. WHO (World Health Organisation) chief. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said restrictions must lift gradually as the virus decelerates slowly.