EASING BEGINS, BUT LEASH KEPT ON PARIS, MADRID

PARIS/MADRID With Europe poised to ease lockdown next week, long-suffering residents of some of its biggest cities have been told they will enjoy fewer freedoms while levels of infection remain perilously high in urban areas.

After two months of draconian confinement, the French are champing at the prospect of being able to travel more than one kilometre from their door once a day starting next week.

Prime Minister Édouard Philippe said in Paris only people with a certificate from their employer or with an urgent need would be allowed to use rush-hour public transport. Masks would be compulsory and parks and gardens would remain shut.

In Spain, Madrid and Barcelona were set to be excluded from some plans to loosen restrictions amid fears the disease was not under sufficient control.