Spaniards celebrate end of lockdown
Impromptu street celebrations erupted across Spain as the clock struck midnight last Saturday, when a six-month-long national state of emergency to contain the spread of coronavirus ended and many night-time curfews were lifted.
In Madrid, police had to usher revellers out of the central Puerta del Sol square, where the scenes of unmasked dancing and group signing resembled pre-pandemic nightlife.
Teenagers and young adults also poured into central squares and beaches of Barcelona to mark the relaxation of restrictions.
“Freedom!” said Juan Cadavid, who was reconnecting with friends. The 25- year- old Barcelona resident was also rejoicing at the prospect of going back to work at a Michelin-star restaurant that has been closed for the past seven months due to pandemic-related restrictions.
Pakistan is struggling with a third surge of coronavirus cases, despite a complete closure of all business and transport that began this weekend and continues until May 16, the end of the Eid holidays.
Pakistan reported 118 more deaths and 3,785 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day on Sunday. It has now seen nearly 19,000 deaths in the pandemic.
All businesses are now closed, except for essential food stores, pharmacies and fuel stations. Public transport in major cities and town is either at halt or allowed only with 50 per cent capacity while intercity passenger transport is completely shut. Federal authorities also extended school closures to May 21.
After receiving the first consignment of 1.2 million doses of the OxfordAstraZeneca vaccine on Saturday, the government is trying to ramp up inoculations.