Spain's prime minister has revealed his government’s plans to start winding down the country’s coronavirus lockdown in the second half of May.
Pedro Sanchez told parliament restrictions would be eased slowly and gradually to prevent another sharp increase in cases, as he sought an extension in the state of emergency to May 9.
“We will be going back and forth depending on how the pandemic evolves,” he said.
Spain’s lockdown started on March 14 and is one of the strictest in Europe, with children until now forced to stay indoors at all times. Last night the government bowed to public pressure and said children under 14 would be able to take short walks outside under supervision. Spain has the highest number of confirmed cases outside of the US, with more than 204,000 positive tests, and a death toll in excess of 21,000.
In France, half of all private sector workers were today revealed to have signed up for a temporary unemployment scheme put in place by the government to help companies endure the impact of the crisis.
In a radio interview today, French labour minister Muriel Penicaud said: “As of today, 10.2 million private sector workers have been put on temporary unemployment. That’s more than one employee out of two and six companies out of 10.”
The revelation followed another night of clashes between police and young people in the suburbs of Paris, as lockdown rules heighten social tensions.
Images emerged of youths setting off fireworks towards police and cars set on fire, in scenes similar to ones witnessed in several of the capital’s “banlieues” since the weekend.
In Germany, which has been widely praised for its response to the virus, official figures showed an increase of 2,237 positive tests over the past day — the second consecutive day that new infections have risen. The country began easing some of its lockdown measures on Monday, with smaller shops allowed to reopen and some school classes resuming.
Meanwhile officials in Iceland have announced a new package to support businesses and groups suffering in the pandemic.
Unemployed people and low-income families will get extra help and smaller businesses will get loans to support them in a package reportedly worth £340 million. Like Germany, the country has been hailed for its extensive virus testing.
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In Poland, hotels could be reopened next month, the government said.