Germany slowly eases lockdown measures
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced plans to slowly ease restrictions earned to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Social distancing rules will remain in place until at least 3 May, with Ms Merkel also recommending the utilization of face masks in shops and on public transport.
But as of next week shops under a particular size could open their doors.
And schools will gradually commence to reopen from 4 May.
Ms Merkel said the country had achieved "fragile intermediate success" through the strict measures.
The chancellor said the united states "must keep focused and continue", adding that they "do not have a lot of room for manoeuvre".
Large public gatherings including religious services will stay banned until 31 August. Bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and music venues will all remain closed.
According to Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the country has 127,584 confirmed cases and has reported 3,254 deaths.
Ms Merkel's announcement makes Germany the most recent European nation to get started on easing restrictions:
Denmark has reopened schools and nurseries for children up to age 11
Construction and manufacturing work is back under way in Spain
A large number of smaller shops in Austria reopened on Tuesday, and the united states allows outdoor sport such as for example tennis, golf and athletics from 1 May
Some regions in Italy have reopened bookshops and children's clothing stores
France, however, has extended its lockdown measures for four more weeks until 11 May. Belgium will maintain steadily its restrictions until at least 3 May.
And in Russia, veterans groups have needed President Vladimir Putin to postpone the World War Two 75th anniversary victory parade planned for 9 May, as a result of the risk it could pose to participants.
What did Ms Merkel say?
After a video conference with the heads of Germany's 16 states, Ms Merkel announced the gradual loosening of the strict lockdown measures.
Schools can reopen "gradually and incredibly slowly" after 4 May, she said, with new safety precautions for breaks and school buses, and priority given to those students with exams.
"It will be a great logistical effort and it requires careful preparation," she said.
Shops as high as 800 square metres (8,600 sq ft) could possibly be in a position to restart their businesses from Monday, provided they have "plans to keep hygiene", she said.
Car dealers, bicycle shops and book stores can all reopen, regardless of their size. Hairdressers will be permitted to open their doors from 4 May, provided they too comply with strict hygiene measures.
However the lockdown is definately not over. The chancellor strongly recommended persons don protective face masks while shopping and while taking public transport, saying this "will protect other folks".
It makes Germany the most recent country to issue help with face masks in public areas - although Ms Merkel didn't make it mandatory.
Europe's biggest economy entered a recession in March, its economy ministry said, citing "collapsing global demand, interruption of supply chains, changes in consumer behaviour and uncertainty among investors".
The German government last month passed a stimulus package worth €750bn (£653bn; $816bn) in a bid to help ease the result of the virus.
Economists and governments are increasingly worried about the impact of the global pandemic. The top of the International Monetary Fund has warned that the world faces its worst economic crisis because the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The other day the EU agreed a €500bn rescue package for member states hit hard by the outbreak.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen lay out a roadmap on Wednesday for a gradual lifting of restrictions across the 27-state bloc, but clarified it was not a signal to act immediately.
She set out key conditions involving a substantial reduction in the spread of Covid-19, capacity in the health system, surveillance and monitoring. A donors' conference will need place online for governments and organisations to pledge profit search of a vaccine, Mrs von der Leyen added.
