Spain Eases Lockdown As Toll Falls To 517

Some factory and construction staff are set to return to work under strict safety guidelines

Spain reopened parts of its COVID-19-stricken economy on Monday as slowing death tolls in some of the worst-hit countries boosted hopes that the curve may be starting to flatten and lockdown restrictions could soon be eased.

Watched by a world that is keen to temper a brutal pandemic-induced recession, some Spanish factory and construction staff were set to return to work under strict safety guidelines.

However, China, where the virus emerged late last year, recorded its highest number of infections in weeks — most of them imported cases — as warnings echoed that lifting restrictions too early could unleash a second wave of COVID-19.

French President Emmanuel Macron was set to warn the nation that its lockdown would stay in place for several more weeks at least, while outlining steps for recovery.

More than half of the planet’s population is staying home as part of efforts to stem the spread of the virus, which has now killed at least 1,16,000 people and infected over 1.8 million, overwhelming healthcare systems and crippling the world economy.

Cautious optimism