Step by cautious step, the world breaks free from the shackles of lockdown
Country-by-country guide to the way in which restrictions are being eased
FOR millions of people, it is the moment they long for. After weeks of being confined to their homes and unable to work, study or enjoy themselves as normal, lockdowns are being lifted around the world.
While welcome, these times are also dangerous with the risk of a second surge from a disease which has already claimed more than 265,000 lives.
Now, as Britain waits to hear from the Prime Minister when lockdown will be lifted, all eyes are on how social restrictions have been eased elsewhere.
Denmark
The first nation to ease restrictions when it reopened day-care centres, primary schools, small businesses and hairdressers on April 20. The country is on track to re-open tomorrow.
Class sizes were cut by half and pupils have to wash their hands frequently, play in small groups and sit at desks at least two-metres apart.
They are not allowed to bring toys from home and the school’s equipment is disinfected twice a day.
Denmark’s R rate (average number of infections caused by one infected person) rose after easing lockdown, but is still below the safe limit of 1.0 and there is no sign of a second wave.
Austria
One of the European countries to reopen shops. More than three weeks on, there is no sign of a second wave. Restaurants and bars will reopen from the end of this week, along with religious services. In Vienna, a socially distanced park has been built in the form of a maze, with each path gated and 240cm away from the others.
Germany
Restaurants, pubs and hotels will reopen this week. The Bundesliga football league is to resume on Saturday, open-air sport is once more permitted for the general public and Germans can entertain family and friends from up to two households.
Museums and zoos have reopened, many with inventive new layouts to keep visitors apart. At the Brandenburg State Museum for Modern Art in Cottbus, south-east of Berlin, visitors in pairs can each take one end of a pole or ribbons exactly 1.5m long to keep their distance.
Belgium
With one of the highest death rates – in part because of the way it counts fatalities – this week will see a staggered reopening. Guidelines include choosing four friends to socialise with.
Shoppers are advised to wear face masks, which are obligatory on public transport, where eating and drinking has been banned so people are not tempted to remove them. Masks are being sold from vending machines in train stations; anyone not wearing one can be fined 250 euros.
Italy
Began easing its two-month lockdown last week when factories and construction sites reopened. People can go to the beach, but only to swim or run – not sunbathe. The same applies to parks, where Italians can walk or run but are not allowed to stop for picnics.
In Alpine towns, snow cannons have been used to spray disinfectant as a way of removing coronavirus from surfaces. Buses are enforcing one-way entry and exit rules, with face masks obligatory when travelling.
Spain
Enters the first of a three-phase exit plan tomorrow, with small shops opening and outdoor terrace bars at half capacity.
In phase two, indoor bars and restaurants will open with strict limits on numbers; shopping centres, museums, cinemas and theatres will also be back. Hunting and fishing can also resume but bullfights are off limits until phase three next month.
China
China has been cautiously reopening its schools, with pupils facing temperature checks at the gates and social distancing in the classroom.
Last week around 57,000 highschool students with upcoming university entrance exams returned to class in Wuhan, the epicentre of the pandemic, where schools were closed in January. Arrival times were staggered and pupils wearing masks walked in single file to their desks spaced one metre apart.
In Hangzhou, children at one elementary school have spent time decorating their own bespoke “social-distancing” hats which have metre-long wings to keep everyone apart. Restaurants are also now open. Customers must have their temperature checked on entry and have a “green” health code on an app calculating their risk of Covid-19.
France
Will start lifting travel restrictions tomorrow when people can go up to 100km (62 miles) from home.
Borders will remain closed until June 15. Around a million pupils will return to classes this week in up to 85 percent of establishments, with priority given to health workers’ children and those with special needs.
Secondary schools will remain shut in ‘red’ higher infection areas and only gradually opened elsewhere from May 18. Lycees will remain shut nationwide until at least next month.
Some 400,000 businesses will open but cafes, bars and restaurants will stay closed until at least next month.
Netherlands
Primary schools and nurseries will reopen from tomorrow, with children allowed to play sports together as long as they remain 1.5 metres apart. Adults will also be allowed play sport outside if social distancing is respected. But competitive matches are not allowed; nor is the use of shared changing rooms.
Secondary schools will reopen from June 1. Vocational training schools will reopen for exams and practical training from June 15.
Cafes and restaurants can reopen outdoor seating if customers are kept 1.5 metres apart; some are using glass booths to keep diners safe.
But cannabis cafes, sex clubs and brothels will stay closed until at least September 1, and will only reopen if coronavirus remains under control.
New Zealand
Country was shut down early, with restrictions in place until community transmission ended. Now on a phased path to reopening with people still instructed to stay home in their ‘bubble’ unless essential. People must work from home if possible. Businesses can open premises, but cannot physically interact with customers. Low-risk local recreation activities are allowed, but public venues are closed. The more relaxed ‘Level 2’ begins tomorrow if “the disease is contained”.
United States
Decisions about reopening are being taken by governors in the 50 states, creating a patchwork of differing rules. Around half of the states are now partially reopening, mainly in the centre and south of the country. Some states have ignored key government advice – that they should only loosen rules after a 14-day downward trajectory of new cases. Georgia has forged ahead, reopening gyms, bowling alleys, cinemas, nail salons and massage therapists. Restaurants can open if there are only 10 diners per 500 square feet of floor space, and disposable menus are used. Shopping malls have reopened in some states. They are limited to 25 per cent capacity and have seen few customers.
South Korea
Set to reopen schools this week for the first time in two months. They will be required to carry out regular disinfection and temperature checks and to rearrange seating to help students keep their distance.
But South Korea was never fully locked down and social distancing rules have been steadily eased. After an infection scare last week, bars and clubs have been asked to voluntarily suspend business for a month and to ensure entry logs are properly filled out for tracking purposes.
Israel
Life has almost returned to normal. Hairdressers, hardware and electrical shops and restaurants have reopened, although the latter are takeaway-only. Aviation chiefs are exploring the possibility of a “medical passport” system where citizens are allowed to travel abroad after undergoing a 45-minute coronavirus test. Scientists believe that analysing excrement in sewers will detect coronavirus hotspots and prevent a second wave.
In Vienna a socially distanced park has been built in the form of a maze, with each path gated and 240cm away from others
Around half the states in the US have partially reopened, mainly in the centre and south. But there is a patchwork of different rules