Protests in America but parties in Spain and Italy as countries change their rules
PROTESTS have been breaking out in the US and Germany over lockdown restrictions as the number of coronavirus deaths climbs to 243,000 globally – with 3.4 million people reported to have been infected.
In the US, which has the highest death toll of 66,000, campaigners demanding that businesses be allowed to reopen gathered outside Los Angeles City Hall.
Protesters also invaded closed beaches and occupied the lawn outside California’s state capital Sacramento where the virus has claimed the lives of 2,073 in the Golden State.
Crowds gathered, too, in Illinois and Michigan on Friday, with protests planned yesterday in the capitals of Kentucky, Oregon and Florida.
Around half of all states, includingtexas, have started reopening businesses, parks and golf courses. In California, Governor Gavin Newsom hinted that easing the restrictions was “days away”.
However, in Newyork City it was revealed that 98 residents had died in one care home after suffering coronavirus symptoms.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said the number of deaths at the 705-bed Isabella Geriatric Center in Washington Heights, Manhattan, was “absolutely horrifying”.
Newyork state governor Andrew Cuomo revealed that one in five of a sample of 15,000 people tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies, meaning they had already had the virus.
A strict lockdown remained in force as 299 new deaths were recorded, taking the state’s toll to 24,368.
In Germany, where some states are starting to relax restrictions, ATV crew and police officers were attacked during a protest of around 1,000 people in Berlin’s Kreuzberg. But in
Spain, joggers, cyclists, skateboarders and walkers celebrated being allowed to exercise outdoors for the first time in seven weeks.
From tomorrow the wearing of face masks on public transport in Spain will be compulsory.
In Italy, people will be able to visit relatives from tomorrow, but only in small numbers. Parks, factories and building sites will also be allowed to reopen.