Italy and Spain are two of the five countries that have been most affected by Coronavirus, with France not far behind, still placing in the top ten most impacted. With new infections decreasing, the necessary processes to lessen the lockdown have begun.

As far as lockdowns in Europe go, Spain’s has been particularity severe. Since March 14th, citizens have been strictly forbidden to leave their homes unless it is to go to the supermarket, pharmacies, medical facilities, or to walk the dog. Fortunately, there has been a consistent drop in new infections, meaning that these restrictions are slowly being lifted as part of a four-phase plan.

As of this past Sunday (April 26, 2020), Spanish children 13 years old or younger are allowed to be outside for one hour a day, however the parks they once played at are still closed. This coming weekend, these new exceptions come to adults as well, enabling them to go out to exercise. However, rules may vary depending on the province.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has announced in a televised address that other restrictions will slowly be lifted in the second half of May, estimating that infection rates are still declining. Sánchez has repeatedly stated that de-escalation would definitely be slow, with schools not expected to re-open until September. Another restriction to be lifted is that on professional sports, with athletes able to resume training.

Regarding social gatherings, healthy people that do not have any sort of underlying medical condition will be allowed to socialize in small groups, and families will finally be permitted to attend funerals. All of these policies completely depend on the evolution of infection rates, number of beds in hospitals and the extent to which people comply with social distancing norms

Italy began its lockdown five days earlier than Spain, on March 9th, becoming the first European nation to go into a strict lockdown. Italy arguably took the hardest hit in Europe, emerging as a hotspot for the virus. Like Spain, numbers of new infections have declined, leading Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to promise the population that lockdown restrictions will slowly start to ease beginning May 4th.

On May 4th, exercise outdoors will be permitted again, parks will be re-opened, and visiting relatives will be allowed, however Italian citizens must wear face masks and keep social distancing norms in mind. Again with social distancing policies, factories and buildings in Italy will also re-open on this date. Although they will formally re-open on June 1st, restaurants will now be allowed to serve takeaway. Stores, museums, hairdressers, and businesses of the same nature, will also re-open on June 1st. Schools, on the other hand, are to remain closed until the summer holidays have passed.

Last on our list is France. Yesterday (April 28, 2020), Prime Minister Edouard Philippe announced the government’s plans to lift certain restrictions in order to ease out of the lockdown. A recent poll amongst French citizens have shown that support for the lockdown has dropped below 50%. Later than countries Italy and Spain, the limitations in place will begin to lift on May 11th. Edouard Philippe is expected to give a speech to the National Assembly in which he will address 17 priority categories, such as the restrictions regarding workplaces, testing, and public transit. Some have even suggested that travel restrictions could be lifted around the same time.

Earlier, President Emmanuel Macron announced that schools would gradually reopen May 11th, but parents do not have to comply with their child’s presence

The fact that these countries were amongst those who felt the worst impact of the Coronavirus makes the lifting of restrictions noteworthy, however they are not alone. As of mid-April, countries such as Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic have all announced plans to begin ending their lockdowns as well, however they acknowledge the fact that this is a delicate matter, with the possibility of a second wave still very real.

---

Sources: