People in France and Spain, two of the hardest-hit countries by the coronavirus pandemic were preparing for an easing of lockdown rules as the global number of diseases surpassed four million already.
Globally, the death toll due to COVID-19 has surged past 2,77,000 and the number of coronavirus cases surpassed four million, according to a tally by AFP.
Lockdowns and economic disruption because of coronavirus have pushed millions into unemployment in a historic global downturn.
Amid the barrage of deaths, some European countries cited signs of progress they said justified taking slow steps back toward some version of normality.
French officials announced the day’s death toll of 80 was the lowest since early April. All nursing home fatalities also fell clearly as France’s authority prepared to relax curbs on public movement imposed eight weeks ago.
In Spain half the population going to be allowed for limited socialization, and restaurants may offer some outdoor service as Spain begins a phased transition set to last through June.
Belgium is also loosening some restrictions, and in some parts of Germany pubs and food establishments reopened on Saturday.
The UK is also planning to declare that all abroad visitants will face a mandatory 14 days quarantine, and the EU warned against opening borders to travelers from outside the bloc.
Across Europe, commemorations marking 75 years since Nazi Germany’s surrender were canceled or scaled-down.
