European Countries Divided Over Virus Measures
About a month has passed since European countries began lockdowns to tackle the coronavirus outbreak. They are now divided over whether to ease or continue their approach.
On Tuesday, Austria partially eased its lockdown and other strict measures that had been in place since last month. Some shops in Vienna, including clothing shops, reopened for the first time in a month. Pedestrian traffic appears to be gradually increasing.
The move came after the number of new infections recently dropped. The country had more than 1,000 daily new cases at one time, but the figure has fallen to less than 400 since April 4.
Denmark will reopen kindergartens and elementary schools on Wednesday.
Norway will do the same next week or later.
Germany is considering whether to ease school closures as the outbreak appears to be slowing in the country.
By contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday that the country's nationwide lockdown will be extended until May 11. He hinted that the measure could be extended. In Paris, restrictions have been tightened since last week, with jogging and other exercises during the daytime now banned.
Behind this is a surge in the number of seriously-ill patients. The number of patients in intensive care has grown sevenfold to 7,000 in more than two weeks until last Monday.
French officials said both infections and deaths are rising at a slower pace, but the country's medical system is overstretched.
Italy decided to extend its lockdown until May 3. The country, which has seen the largest number of deaths in Europe, imposed strict measures on March 10. Experts say the measures are working as new cases have slowed since the end of last month. But the country is cautious about easing them over fears of a return of the outbreak.
Spain, which has more than 170,000 infections, has extended its lockdown until April 25.
Britain is also expected to extend its lockdown. The death toll has exceeded 10,000 in the country and the outbreak has yet to slow.
