After Austria has begun to ease its coronavirus lockdown, other European countries affected by Covid-19 are discussing ways to loosen restrictions without running the risk of a flare-up in infections.
In Austria small shops, garden centres and DIY markets were already reopened. Other shops will follow on May 1st, restaurants and hotels from mid-May on. “The fact that we were among the first to impose restrictions”, says Austrian chancellor Sebastian Kurz, “now gives us the opportunity to get out of this crisis faster.”
Since death and infection rates are falling, other European countries also discuss relaxing lockdown measures. Construction and manufacturing work was restarted in Spain and Denmark has reopened schools. Compulsory masks and increased testing could help to return to normal life.
Germany plans to reopen shops of up to 800 m2 as of April 20th. The same applies to car dealers, bookshops, libraries and zoos. Schools will gradually start to reopen from May 4th. At the same time chancellor Angela Merkel announced to extend social distancing guidelines until May 3rd; mayor events will presumably not take place before September. In Germany, however, the final decision is up to each of the 16 federal states.