Millions of Europeans were preparing for a return to partial normality on Sunday, a day before officials relax some of the world’s harshest coronavirus lockdown measures.
But the risk of a deadly second wave was underscored on Sunday by the resurgence of the virus in South Korea’s capital Seoul, where all bars and clubs were shut after dozens of confirmed cases emerged.
And China reported the first infection in over a month on Sunday in Wuhan, the city where the outbreak first started late last year.
With millions out of work and economies flatlining — including in the United States, where 20 million lost their jobs in April — governments are desperate to reopen, but most are choosing a gradual approach.
In France, hair salons, clothes shops, florists and bookshops will open again Monday but bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas remain closed.
Half of Spain’s 47 million people will be able to meet family or friends in gatherings of up to 10 and bars and restaurants with outdoor space can reopen.
European officials have been emboldened by declining death rates — France’s toll of 80 on Saturday was its lowest since early April and Spain’s daily fatalities have dropped below 200.
– Bustling bazaars –
For Gaelle Cathou, who like tens of thousands of others had chosen to desert the French capital at the start of the lockdown, it is time to return to Paris.
“I’m happy to find my home and my bearings again,” she told AFP. “But I’m a bit apprehensive because it’s going to be a new life.”
In Spain, about half the population will be allowed out on Monday and restaurants will be able to offer some outdoor service, but people in urban hotspots like Madrid and Barcelona will remain under lockdown.
Belgium, Germany and Greece are among other European nations set to ease their lockdowns on Monday.
“Tomorrow, the schools reopen for us but I won’t go,” 17-year-old Greek Anastasia Kyriazis told AFP, explaining that there were only a few weeks of class left before exams. “Most of the pupils I know won’t go… I prefer to stay home and study.”
The Middle East’s most-affected country, Iran, has also relaxed its lockdown measures and bazaars and shopping centres in the capital Tehran were bustling again after being nearly deserted for weeks — much to the annoyance of some.
“All these customers coming in will endanger our lives — us who are forced to come” to work, 22-year-old shopkeeper Milad told AFP.
Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour warned the situation “should in no way be considered normal”, as some regions recorded spiking death rates and reimposed lockdowns.
Underlining the uncertainty, at least one district in Germany was forced to reimpose restrictions on Saturday after an outbreak at a meat processing plant.
British officials are reportedly considering a mandatory 14-day quarantine for international arrivals when they announce plans to exit their lockdown later on Sunday.
– Jet-skiing president –
But as some of the hardest-hit countries prepare to relax their restrictions, other global hotspots are emerging, Russia and Brazil both passing grim milestones on Sunday.
Russia’s caseload surpassed 200,000 and is expected to become the highest figure in Europe within days, but officials say it shows the effectiveness of Russia’s testing regime rather than the severity of the outbreak.
The number of deaths in Russia remains relatively low at just over 1,900.
- AFP
