The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has slowed in some of the worst-hit countries, with Spain readying Monday to reopen parts of its economy.
The European country started to ease strict lockdown measures that have brought its economy to a standstill.
People in manufacturing, construction and some services will be allowed to return to work, but must stick to strict safety guidelines.
The rest of the population must still remain at home.
More than 16,970 people with Covid-19 have died in Spain, but the rate of new infections has been falling.
Italy – the hardest hit country in Europe, with almost 19,900 deaths – will allow a narrow range of firms to resume operations on Tuesday.
Spain’s health ministry said on Sunday that the daily number of deaths had risen slightly, with 619 reported in the previous 24 hours, after falling for three consecutive days.
However, the number of new infections was roughly half what it was a week before, with 4,167 confirmed cases bringing the total to 166,019.
“We are still far from victory, from the moment when he will recover normality in our lives,” Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned.
“We are all keen to go back out on the streets… but our desire is even greater to win the war and prevent a relapse,” he added.
On Monday, the government lifted some of the restrictions put in place on 27 March and allowed businesses whose employees cannot work remotely to reopen.
Officials intend to distribute 10 million face masks on public transport.
The head of the regional administration in Catalonia, Quim Torra, said he would not comply with any easing of the lockdown for non-essential workers, warning that “the risk of a new outbreak and a second lockdown is enormous”.
Source: AFP and BBC
