UK plots exit from lockdown but cautions COVID-19 is here to stay
Prime Minister Boris Johnson published his plan for exiting the coronavirus lockdown on Monday, allowing some people back to work but cautioning that all should wear face coverings in enclosed spaces as COVID-19 was here to stay.
Afghanistan arrests regional Islamic State leader
Afghan security forces arrested three senior South Asia Islamic State members including the group’s regional leader, the government said on Monday.
Gloved and masked, Belgians head back into shops after lockdown
Belgium allowed most of its shops to reopen on Monday with strict hygiene rules for customers, following in the footsteps of Spain in an easing of its eight-week lockdown as the number of COVID-19 cases fall.
Coronavirus cases in Gulf Arab region surpass 100,000
The number of coronavirus cases in the six Gulf Arab states surpassed 100,000 on Monday, with 557 deaths, according to Reuters calculations based on official figures.
Togo reports an outbreak of African swine fever
Togo reported an outbreak of African swine fever in a farm northwest of the capital Lome, where 44 pigs have died of the disease since April 18.
Merkel: We must stick to basic rules even as coronavirus lockdown eases
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday stressed that people needed to continue keeping their distance from one another and covering their mouths and noses even as Germany eases some of the restrictions it had imposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Excited children, anxious parents – Swiss go back to school
Thousands of Swiss children returned to school on Monday, many excited to be reunited with their classmates after a nearly two-month break due to the new coronavirus, although some parents had misgivings.
Spanish cafes reopen as daily death toll falls to seven-week low
Waiters in face masks served coffees and “bocadillo” sandwiches at cafe terraces in Seville on Monday as parts of Spain eased restrictions amid a slowing coronavirus epidemic that saw the number of new fatalities drop to a near two-month low.
Factbox: From hairdressers to beaches – Spain’s plan to phase out lockdown
About half of Spain’s 47 million population on Monday entered the second stage of a four-phase plan to lift a coronavirus lockdown and return to normal by the end of June.
Thirsty Czechs toast return to beer gardens as lockdown eases
Thirsty Czechs were allowed to return to beer gardens on Monday in one of the government’s most eagerly anticipated measures to relax coronavirus restrictions.
