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Deutsche Welle (28 April 2020)

Marko Langer

In Sweden, people are relaxing on cafe terraces. Meanwhile in Spain, citizens can barely leave their homes. As European governments try to contain COVID-19, they're taking differing approaches to lifting restrictions.

Italy: Conte outlines phased plan

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has decided that reopening society will come gradually in Italy, also hit hard by the pandemic. A series of restrictions will be lifted on May 4, allowing the country's population of 60 million to once again be able to exercise outdoors and move around their own regions. More restrictions will be lifted on May 18 and June 1, in an attempt to gradually get the economy running again. The announcement that bars and restaurants would only be allowed to reopen on June 1 triggered disappointment in the sector, with the lobbying group FIPE, which represents 300,000 small businesses, saying "enough is enough!" The Catholic Church has also expressed dismay that no mention had been made of easing restrictions on religious services. Schools will remain closed until after the summer holidays, reopening in September.

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