Lockdowns and distancing steps to prevent the transmission of the infection have devastated the economies of Europe and left millions of people without jobs.
Now Europe has slowly begun to lift the sanctions and resume operations.
Millions of residents across Europe escaped lockdown, with policymakers throughout the continent now trying to reopen factories, schools and ease coronavirus containment without triggering a second wave of infections.
As Italy joined coronavirus epidemic’s ‘phase two and ended the lockdown, a number of Italians were were back on the streets and Venice, which no more remained deserted where alleys portrayed an early sign of Europe’s recession, when St.point 339 |
Mark’s Square saw human appearance as local merchants gathered in the piazza.point 72 | 1
The Italian government said that the regions are responsible for maintaining social distance on public transport, but no such thing was maintained as four million people returned to work at factories and building sites in Milan.point 379 |
However, in Venice, a group of protesters led by the Fratelli d’Italia movement demanded that business operations be resumed immediately.point 124 | 1
Hundreds of thousands of children returned to school today in Germany although older children are given preference as they study for summer exams.
People are permitted to meet their relatives, but not their mates, but are not allowed to go into other regions.
Public transport masks are compulsory, regional governments are responsible for ensuring social distance-and some of them require gloves.
The step to ‘phase two’ in Italy today followed just 174 deaths on Sunday, the lowest number since the lockdown came into force on March 10, but it came after a surge of 474 deaths on Saturday.
The number of cases was 1,389, bringing the number from 209,328 to 210,717, also the lowest since March 10.
In the meantime Portugal has ended its national emergency and is encouraging small stores including hair saloon and car dealers to reopen albeit anybody who doesn’t wear a mask at public places however a fine of €350 will also be imposed for not wearing facial masks.
As far as Spain is concerned, some local businesses including hairdressers begin reopening for individual client appointments. Many Spaniards, allowed to play and walk easily, go out for the first time over the weekend. Social distancing steps stayed in force however, a law allowing people to wear face masks on public transit came into effect.
In Germany, beauty salons reopened nationwide, but under strict hygiene laws.point 179 | When many states slowly loosen limits on colleges, more students will be able to return to class again.point 265 |
Social-distancing steps are also in place in much of Germany, restricting outdoor events to pairs (or larger parties all from the same household) and 1.point 128 | 5 meters distance.point 144 | 1
Now coming to Greece, hair salons, computer shops and book stores, but with restrictions in place, were set to reopen. In addition, citizens are allowed to leave their homes and travel openly within their respective prefectures. Residents of the island are not yet permitted to enter mainland Greece.