US takes small steps to lift virus restrictions as globe on the move
● Lawmakers split along party lines ● Spain opens its doors for first time
The US has taken halting steps to lift some of its own restrictions, even with tens of thousands of new cases being reported every day.
In Washington, the Senate was convening for the first time since March, while dozens of people in Florida were waiting before sunrise for the 7am opening of Clearwater Beach.
In South Dakota, a pork processing plant took its first steps toward reopening after being shuttered after more than 800 employees were infected with coronavirus.
Louisiana lawmakers were also restarting their legislature – even as they feuded over whether they should return at all.
Political battles have become increasingly embedded in coronavirus policy in the US. In Louisiana, Republican legislators irritated by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ decision to extend Louisiana’s stay-at-home order to 15 May were eager to return to work.
But Democrats saw things differently.
“It could be a devastating blow to the strides made and to the safety of our residents, our staff and members if we returned to business as usual prematurely,” Democratic leaders wrote in a letter.
More than 29,000 people in Louisiana have tested positive for the coronavirus and 1,969 people have died as of Sunday.
With pressure growing in many countries for more measures to restart the economy, politicians also were trying to boost funding for research into a vaccine for Covid-19. There are hopes that one could be available in months, but many scientists warn it could take much longer.
In Florida, where Governor Ron Desantis had said restaurants and retail shops could open at 25 per cent capacity beginning yesterday, some business owners were conflicted.
California’s state Assembly was also restarting its legislative session, though the Senate is not bringing members back until 11 May. California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said members must be at the Capitol to participate in committee hearings and floor sessions, based on legal advice that votes taken remotely “would likely be challenged in the courts and thrown out.”
He said anyone who did not feel comfortable coming was
“encouraged to stay home”. “We are definitely not forcing anybody to come to work,” he said.
In Europe, people in hardhit Spain ventured out for the first time in weeks for haircuts or food takeaways, but many small shops were still closed as owners worked on meeting strict health and hygiene guidelines. There was limited easing on quarantine regulations on businesses in Portugal and Belgium.
On Europe’s western edge, Iceland reopened many of its businesses after the country tamed its virus outbreak.
India allowed some economic activities to resume after a five-week halt, even as the pace of infections has slightly accelerated. The lockdown has achieved a slowdown in the spread of the virus, but has caused immense hardship for India’s poor.
An estimated 1.5 million South Africans returned to work after a five-week lockdown. The mining, manufacturing and select retail sectors began reopening with up to 30 per cent of their workforce. All South Africans must wear face masks in public.
Russia reported a steady rise in the number of infections, fueling concerns the nation’s hospitals could be overwhelmed. Authorities say that broader testing has contributed to a surge. Russia’s economy has been partially shut since late March, and lockdown measures have been extended through to 11 May.
Governments around the world have reported 3.5 million infections and more than 247,000 deaths as of yesterday