Austria plans to start reopening shops next week, easing coronavirus lockdown
Austria’s government plans to start reopening shops from next week in an initial loosening of its coronavirus lockdown, saying on Monday the country was turning a corner though it widened a requirement to wear face masks.
Germany draws up plans to relax lockdown after April 19
Germany has drawn up a list of steps, including mandatory mask-wearing in public, limits on gatherings and the rapid tracing of infection chains, to help enable a phased return to normal life after its coronavirus lockdown is set to end on April 19.
Spain’s pace of coronavirus deaths slows again
Spain’s pace of new coronavirus deaths slowed for the fourth day on Monday as the government contemplated a gradual easing of a lockdown in place since mid-March in the country with the second highest death toll from the global pandemic.
Spain’s government seeks to consolidate coronavirus contagion slowdown
Spain’s government wants to consolidate the current rate of coronavirus contagion slowdown in Europe’s second-worst hit country, Health Minister Salvador Illa said on Monday, as Spain enters its fourth week of confinement.
As infections balloon, coronavirus squeezes Europe’s armed forces
Military forces across Europe have scaled back operations and imposed stricter rules on personnel to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus among staff who often live and work in close quarters, making them more vulnerable to infection.
Head of junior Poland coalition party quits over election plan
Accord, a junior party in Poland’s ruling coalition, will stay in government, its head Jaroslaw Gowin said on Monday, but he said he was quitting as he opposes the country holding a presidential election in May, when its coronavirus outbreak is expecte…
British PM Johnson in hospital for coronavirus tests but said to be still in charge
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was undergoing tests in hospital on Monday as he is still suffering coronavirus symptoms 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19, but the government insisted he remained in charge.
Japan to declare state of emergency for about a month: PM
Japan is to declare a state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures as early as Tuesday in a bid to stop the coronavirus, the prime minister said, with the government preparing a stimulus package to soften the economic blow.
Protective of religious beards, Israel to produce fitted face masks
Israelis who have beards for religious reasons will get the option of custom-made face masks to protect them from the coronavirus rather than being told to shave, a government official said on Monday.
Philippines reports 11 more deaths, 414 new coronavirus infections
The Philippines’ Health Ministry on Monday reported 11 additional deaths and 414 new infections from of the coronavirus outbreak.
