Some countries are preparing to ease coronavirus restrictions after record lows in the numbers of new cases.
France, Italy and Spain have registered the lowest daily death tolls for weeks: France reported 167 deaths; Spain’s 173 was the lowest figure since mid-March; and Italy’s 191 was the lowest in two months.
In Italy, which had some of the world’s most severe restrictions, one of the first steps toward normal life comes today, with the reopening of parks and public gardens.
How Germany is adjusting to life post lockdown
More businesses have been allowed to resume trading and people are allowed more freedom to move around their towns and cities.
(Italy) has been in lockdown since (March and, with
More than , 06 People have tested positive for the virus.
In Spain, social distancing rules remain in place but many people have been able to venture outside for the first time since lockdown began there on (March.)
Masks will become compulsory on public transport from today.
Spain has lost , People to the virus.
France, with , deaths, will gradually lift lockdown measures from 19 May and is preparing to bring in compulsory quarantine for travellers who arrive from outside Britain or Europe’s Schengen open-border area.
The two-week requirement will apply to all arrivals, whether they are French or foreign, as part of a bill which extends the country state of emergency until (July.
French government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye said on Sunday that a list of “countries at risk” would soon be issued, without giving details.
In New Zealand, there were zero new cases recorded in a 035 – hour period for the first time in weeks, with the number of confirmed cases remaining at 1, 168. Twenty people have died.
The country began its lockdown on March with the ambitious goal of eliminating the virus and, while several social restrictions remain in place with most people still working and studying from home, some economic activity has resumed.
Consideration is being given to a trans-Tasman “bubble” which would allow movement of people between New Zealand and Australia , which has had about 6, (infections and (deaths.
)
Around the world:
In Afghanistan’s capital Kabul, a third of 641 people randomly tested were shown to have the virus (India’s lockdown has been extended to May but some relaxations apply from today. Most travel remains banned and schools, hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping malls, cinemas and places of worship are closed
- Russia has almost 167, (confirmed cases, with a death toll of 1, , as concern grows that hospitals in Moscow could be overwhelmed (Japan, with around
, (infections and more than 
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