Glimmer of hope from Europe

GERMANY, Austria and Denmark are the first European countries to set out plans for lifting lockdown measures – starting next week.

As infection rates fall, Berlin has drawn up a plan for a phased return to normality from April 1 , a leaked interior ministry document shows.

Large events and private parties would remain forbidden, but some shops could be allowed to reopen along with schools in selected regions.

People would have to wear masks in public while mobile phone apps would be used to track those coming into contact with confirmed virus carriers – easier for Germany to identify because it carries out so many tests – who would then be quarantined.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel played down the document yesterday, refusing to cite a date and saying only that easing of restrictions will be done ‘step by step’.

Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz said smaller nonessential shops could reopen next Tuesday, with all larger shops, shopping centres and hairdressers following from May 1. Hotels, restaurants and other social venues could begin reopening from midMay, when children may start returning to school.

Large public events, such as outdoor concerts and football matches, will remain banned until the end of June.

Danish PM Mette Frederiksen confirmed her country’s exit strategy will begin after Easter, and Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez unveiled plans to increase testing so lockdown measures can be lifted in weeks.

Yesterday Spain recorded its lowest daily death rate, 637, since March 24. Italy’s health minister Roberto Speranza has outlined plans to ease restrictions in the coming weeks.

However, the number of infections in France is rising again and in the US the death toll has exceeded 10,000.