San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Glasses raised in U.K. as pubs, salons open
Pints were poured and the unkempt hair was trimmed as England embarked Saturday on its biggest shutdown easing yet.
In addition to the reopening of much of the hospitality sector, including pubs and restaurants, for the first time in more than three months, couples can marry and people can return to movie theaters.
In all cases, social distancing rules have to be followed. “Let’s not blow it now,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cautioned.
There are concerns that the British government is being overly hasty, even reckless, in sanctioning the changes, given the country’s stillhigh coronavirus infection and death rates. In other countries, the reopening of bars and restaurants has been blamed for a spike in infections.
BRAZIL
Leader signs mask mandate
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has approved a law requiring masks on streets and in public transportation. But he vetoed clauses requiring masks in churches, schools, shops and factories.
As in the United States, use of masks has become contentious and sometimes politicized in Brazil. Bolsonaro only occasionally covers his face in public and often mingles with crowds.
Latin America’s most populous nation has confirmed more than 61,500 deaths and over 1.5 million infections, the second most in the world behind the U.S.
SPAIN
Visitors return to basilica
Barcelona’s iconic La Sagrada Familia basilica reopened its doors Saturday for visits exclusively for health workers after nearly four months of being closed.
More will be able to visit the temple designed by architect Antoni Gaudi when a second phase begins just for residents of Barcelona. The church says it is still waiting to announce when visitors from outside the city will be permitted entry.
La Sagrada Familia is
Barcelona’s top tourist site, with 4.5 million visitors in 2019.
AUSTRALIA
Rules tighten amid surge
Victoria state recorded 108 new coronavirus cases Saturday, forcing authorities to lock down nine public housing towers and three more Melbourne suburbs.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said 3,000 people in the housing towers would go into “hard lockdown,” meaning “there will be no one allowed in … and no one allowed out.”
The suburbs of Kensington, Flemington and North Melbourne will join 36 others in being subject to coronavirus restrictions. Residents can only leave their homes for food or essential services.