Spanish to lift lockdown on June 21 as Greece opens up

SPAIN is set to extend its lockdown until June 21 before lifting it completely, its prime minister said yesterday as Europe began to open back up.

Pedro Sanchez will ask parliament to agree to a final extension, despite protests against it, after the nation’s infection rate reduced dramatically.

Meanwhile, Greece has taken steps to welcome back tourists as it eases virus restrictions. From June 15, the country will not quarantine passengers flying in from 29 countries – which do not include the UK. In July, all airports that can handle international traffic will reopen to foreign flights, as ports and land borders also open for tourists.

At the Vatican, Pope Francis advised against pessimism. During a sociallydistanced mass in St Peter’s Basilica, he said thinking ‘nothing will return as before’ guarantees ‘the one thing that does not return is hope’.