European countries prepare to ease coronavirus lockdowns
(VOVWORLD) - France, Italy and Spain are preparing to loosen coronavirus restrictions, with other countries watching closely to see how some of the first and hardest-hit countries in Europe might safely emerge from their crippling lockdowns.
In Spain, health authorities have begun to outline plans for a move towards “a new normality” as the number of overnight coronavirus deaths in the country dropped below 300 for the first time in weeks. As of Sunday, children under 14 were allowed out to exercise for the first time since mid-March.
People wearing face masks are seen on a street in Milan, Italy, on April 18, 2020.
(Photo: Xinhua)
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In Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said manufacturing could restart as soon as May 4. The Italian prime minister said schools, however, would not reopen until September. Measures would be announced early this week.
Tight lockdowns have been seen as a blunt but effective tool to halt infections until a vaccine is developed.
France has imposed a mandatory tight lockdown for weeks. The country’s prime minister, Édouard Philippe, said he would present a national exit strategy to parliament on Tuesday, which would then debate and vote on the recommendations.