Easy does it, war is not over
Leaders, experts warn that the coronavirus is not beaten as world relaxes lockdown rules
ITALY was among a slew of countries easing lockdown restrictions yesterday to resurrect their economies, but officials cautioned against moving too swiftly as new coronavirus cases passed 3.5 million globally and deaths neared 250 000.
Italy, among the world’s hardest-hit countries, started to relax the longest lockdown in Europe, allowing about 4.5 million people to return to work after nearly two months at home. Construction work can resume and relatives can reunite.
“I woke up at 5.30am I was so excited,” said Maria Antonietta Galluzzo, a grandmother taking her 3-yearold grandson for a walk in Rome’s Villa Borghese park, the first time they had seen each other in eight weeks.
“He has grown by this much,” she said, holding up three horizontal fingers.
Spain, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Israel, Tunisia and Lebanon were also among countries easing some restrictions, variously reopening factories, construction sites, parks, hairdressers and libraries. In the US, about half of the country’s states partially reopened their economies over the weekend.
The daily rate of new Covid-19 cases worldwide has been sitting in a 2%-3% range over the past week, down from a peak of around 13% in mid-March. Global cases have risen to about 3.52 million, according to a Reuters tally based on government data. However, some cases may cause only mild symptoms and not everyone with symptoms is tested, while most countries only record hospital deaths.
“We still have to be sceptical about the numbers we get,” said Peter Collignon, an infectious diseases physician and microbiologist at Canberra Hospital. “We could easily have a second or a third wave because a lot of places aren’t immune.”
Countries are only gradually reopening owing to such fears and warnings from officials not to lower their guard. In the US, even as warm weather led sunseekers to flock to green spaces in Manhattan, an epidemic epicentre, President Donald Trump warned that the national death toll – now at almost 68 000 – could rise to 100 000.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said his country, where the coronavirus has killed almost 29 000 people and over 1 000 new cases are reported daily, was still in the “full throes of the pandemic”.
Friends are still barred from meeting, most shops must stay shut until May 18, and schools, cinemas and theatres remain closed indefinitely.
Israel, after weeks of strict closures, has also started to relax curbs in stages. Schools for children in grades 1-3, the 6-9 age group, have reopened. Some stores reopened late last month.
People around the world are adjusting to a new normal. A continuous hum of cars, buses and motorbikes pointed to an increase in early morning commuting in Rome, but traffic was lighter than before the virus struck and those out appeared to be following physical distancing rules.
In Beirut, restaurants began to reopen but were removing chairs and tables in compliance with government rules that they do not fill beyond 30% of their capacity. “This is a great step,” said Ralph Malak, a bar owner. “It’s good for the staff to get motivated again, to come back to work, and for the economy to start moving.”
Hairdressers were allowed to partially reopen, with barbers operating on certain days and women’s salons on others.
Iran, which has reported more than 6 000 deaths, reopened mosques in parts of the country deemed to be low risk, yesterday. Worshippers must maintain physical distancing, wear masks and gloves and not stay for more than half an hour.
While stringent measures to curb the outbreak have been broadly backed by the public, governments are counting the economic price.
Factory activity was ravaged across the world last month, business surveys showed, and the outlook was bleak as shutdowns froze global production and slashed demand. The global economy is expected to suffer its steepest contraction on record this year.