PARIS, May 11 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The number of Coronavirus cases worldwide topped four million as some of the hardest-hit countries readied to lift lockdown restrictions, despite concerns about a second wave of infections.
Governments around the world are trying to stop the spread of the disease while scrambling for ways to relieve pressure on their economies, which are facing a historic downturn with millions pushed into unemployment.
But with the death toll already past 277,000, nations are keen to avoid second waves of infections that could overwhelm their healthcare systems, with a new cluster of cases in South Korea raising fears about the virus hitting back rapidly.
Amid the barrage of deaths, some European countries have cited signs of progress that they said justified cautious steps towards a sense of normality.
Officials in France said Saturday’s death toll of 80 was the lowest since early April, while nursing home fatalities also fell sharply as the nation prepared to relax curbs on public movement imposed eight weeks ago.
The easing, to begin Monday, has brought mixed reactions.
French health officials have warned that “the epidemic remains active and is evolving”, and that social distancing must be kept up even as restrictions are eased.
In Spain, about half the population will be allowed out on Monday for limited socialisation, and restaurants will be able to offer some outdoor service as the country begins a phased transition set to last through June.
Fears lingered, however, of a resurgence, and authorities excluded Madrid and Barcelona — two COVID-19 hotspots — from the first phase.
Belgium is also easing some restrictions on Monday, and in some parts of Germany, bars and restaurants reopened on Saturday with further easing set for Monday.
Overall, the situation in Europe was still far from normal.
Britain is reportedly planning to implement a mandatory two-week quarantine for all overseas visitors while the European Union warned against opening borders to travellers from outside the bloc.
In ASIA, South Korea’s capital Seoul shut all bars and clubs on Saturday after a burst of cases were tracked to one of the city’s busiest nightlife districts.
Even as the country eased virus restrictions, officials warned against carelessness after the new cluster of infections, highlighting the challenge of containing the spread of the deadly disease while pursuing an economic revival.
In Iran, the Middle East’s virus epicentre, many were taking advantage of loosened restrictions despite worries about a spike in infections.
And in neighbouring Pakistan, the world’s fifth most-populous country, the government ended the lockdown on Saturday and locals streamed into markets and shops, despite still-high infection rates.
In the UNITED STATES, the country with the world’s highest death toll, the country lost an unprecedented 20.5 million jobs in April, driving the unemployment rate to 14.7 percent — the highest level since the Great Depression.
