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.
Croatian oyster farmers hope lockdown easing will save some of season’s harvest
Oyster farmers in Croatia are worried this season’s harvest will go to waste as the outbreak of the new coronavirus means tourists, the main consumers of the delicacy on the Dalmatian coast, stay away.
Low-skilled men suffer highest COVID-19 fatalities in England and Wales
Men in the lowest-skilled jobs have the highest death rates involving COVID-19 among working-age people, according to data for England and Wales that also showed fatalities among nurses and doctors were no higher than the average.
Anti-lockdown protests threaten Germany’s coronavirus battle: politicians
German politicians expressed alarm on Monday over anti-lockdown protests held in major cities at the weekend, warning that conspiracy theorists and others with an agenda were exploiting frustration with measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Boost for bikes as Europeans gear up for coronavirus commute
Bicycles could play a central role in more major European cities as governments scramble to get commuters back to work without crowding buses or trains after coronavirus lockdowns are eased.
China’s Wuhan reports first coronavirus cluster since lifting lockdown
Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak in China, reported on Monday its first cluster of infections since a lockdown on the city was lifted a month ago, stoking concerns of a wider resurgence of the disease.
In France’s race for virus masks, old people lost out
In late February, as the COVID-19 pandemic was about to hit, French President Emmanuel Macron faced a critical decision. Like most countries, France did not have enough protective face masks.
Turkey turns to medical diplomacy to heal damaged relations
Emblazoned with Turkish flags and presidential seals, crates packed with medical equipment are loaded onto planes, part of a major aid campaign by Ankara which has dispatched supplies to dozens of countries since the new coronavirus pandemic erupted.
Coronavirus cases surge in Russia, tally now third highest globally
A new surge in coronavirus cases took Russia’s tally past those in Italy and Britain on Monday, making it the third highest in the world just hours before President Vladimir Putin was due to issue an update on the situation.
