Europe is heading towards loosening restrictions on public life and restarting the economy step by step. But the approaches are varied across the EU.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that the country with over 24,000 coronavirus deaths will announce its plans for gradual reopening before the end of this week. Easing of lockdown rules, however, will not be effective before May 4, he said.
Conte warned against immediate reopening, saying it would be irresponsible and would reverse the progress made so far.
A woman wears a protective mask in downtown Rome, Italy, February 28, 2020. /Reuters
Italy's northern region of Lombardy opposed reopening small, non-essential shops last week, but its neighboring Veneto was in favor of such a decision.
In France, where the virus has killed over 2,000, officials said on Sunday the country's strict lockdown would continue for at least another three weeks.
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said it is an unprecedented crisis in the country's modern history, and it is not finished yet.
COVID-19 will remain a threat for months after the lockdown is lifted, France24 quoted Philippe as saying.
Spanish authorities eased some restrictions last week after a strict lockdown since mid-March.
It opened some sectors of the economy, including manufacturing. But most people are still confined to their homes except for essential outings such as food shopping, and not even children are allowed out for exercise, Reuters reported.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a televised address on Saturday that the most extreme moments of the crisis have been left behind with sacrifice and resilience, adding that the results are fragile and not enough.
A restaurant in Berlin, Germany, April 20, 2020. /Reuters
Germany started on Monday, lifting some of its restrictions, allowing smaller retailers to reopen, provided hygiene and social distancing measures are maintained.
Schools will be gradually reopened from May 4. The students taking exams will be the first to go back to schools. The mass gatherings will remain prohibited till August 31.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases warned the crisis is not over yet despite achieving a lot in the past few weeks.
RKI Vice-President Professor Lars Schaade said the situation is still severe, and there is no end to the crisis in sight.
The number of cases may increase again, he was quoted in the local press as saying.
A view in Paris, France, April 7, 2020. /Reuters
The Czech Republic took a step towards a return to normal life on Monday as part of a six-week strategy to reopen gradually. Some markets opened their doors to the public, with around 5,300 cases and 188 deaths.
Poland reopened parks and forests on Monday, revising the rules on the number of customers allowed in shops.
Austria was one of the first EU countries to ease the lockdown by allowing shops to reopen last week.
Some countries have struggled to contain the spread of COVID-19 as the European death toll passed 100,000 with confirmed one million infections, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally.
(With input from Reuters)