The Latest: Restrictions eased in least-hit areas of Spain
The Latest on the coronavirus pandemic. The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
TOP OF THE HOUR:
- Spain relaxes some restrictions.
- Nightlife establishments closed in South Korea.
- Senior citizens allowed out in Turkey.
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MADRID '“ Roughly half of Spain's 47 million inhabitants will be able to enjoy their first drink or meal at an outdoor terrace on Monday, but residents of Madrid and Barcelona have to wait.
The two major cities have been hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak. Spain's government is allowing other areas to further loosen restrictions that have been in place for nearly two months.
Bar and restaurant owners in cities like Sevilla and Bilbao will be able to open 50% of their outdoor seating for customers, while residents there will be allowed meet in groups of up to 10 people, and go to church, theaters and museums in limited numbers. Small shops will be able to open without the requirement for an appointment.
Officials are under pressure to revive a flagging economy amid rocketing unemployment.
Spain's health minister reported 143 new confirmed fatalities from the virus on Sunday, the lowest daily increase since March 19. The total death toll for Spain is 26,621 since the start of the outbreak. More than 136,000 have recovered.
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SEOUL, South Korea '“ The mayor of a city near Seoul has ordered the temporary closing of clubs, discos and other nightlife establishments amid concerns of a second wave of coronavirus cases in the country.
Mayor Park Namchoon of Incheon city to the west of Seoul says the closing of nightlife facilities will last for two weeks and that anyone violating the order can be punished by up to two years in prison or a 20 million won ($16,380) fine.
Seoul and its surrounding Gyeonggi province have already taken similar steps after new cases associated to nightclubs in Seoul's Itaewon entertainment district were detected in recent days.
South Korea reported 34 new virus cases on Sunday, the first day that its daily tally was over 30 in about a month. Officials said that 24 out the 34 cases were linked to Itaewon nightclubs.
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ISTANBUL '“ Turkey's senior citizens have been allowed to leave their homes for the first time in seven weeks under relaxed coronavirus restrictions.
Those aged 65 and over, deemed most at risk from the virus, had been subjected to a curfew since March 21, but they were permitted outside Sunday for four hours as part of a rolling program of reduced controls. Under-20s will be allowed outside for a similar period later in the week.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted his thanks to the elderly for their 'œgreat support'ť in fighting the outbreak by staying at home, and he reminded them to wear masks outside.
The government announced a 'œnormalization plan'ť as the number of new cases dropped last week, but warned of tougher measures if infections go up again.
Entry and exit restrictions have been lifted for seven provinces where the outbreak is under control. They remain in place for 24 other provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara.
Shopping malls, barbers, hairdressers and beauty salons can open under strict conditions on Monday, while domestic and some international flights will resume at the end of May.
Turkey has recorded 137,115 cases of the virus and 3,739 deaths attributed to COVID-19, according to a tally by John Hopkins University. The true number is likely much higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with displaying symptoms.
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VATICAN CITY '“ Pope Francis is calling on leaders of European Union countries to work together to deal with the social and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.
The pope noted in his Sunday blessing that 75 years have passed since Europe began the challenging process of reconciliation after World War II. He said the process spurred both European integration and 'œthe long period of stability and peace which we benefit from today.'ť
He prayed that the same spirit that inspired European integration efforts 'œnot fail to inspire all those who have responsibility in the European Union'ť to deal with the coronavirus emergency in a 'œspirit of harmony and collaboration.'ť
Throughout his papacy, the pope has urged European countries to resist nationalism and instead pull together on issues like migration.
During the pandemic, hard-hit countries like Italy and Spain have that insisted EU leaders demonstrate solidarity.
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JAKARTA, Indonesia '“ Indonesia's daily tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases has been fluctuating as testing capability has improved.
Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto has declared 387 new cases, taking the country's total to 14,032.
Yurianto said in his daily video conference on Sunday that there have been 973 deaths attributed to COVID-19 and that 2,698 patients have recovered.
Indonesia recorded 533 new cases on Saturday for its highest daily tally, likely due to a significant increase in testing.
However, testing remains a major problem in the archipelago nation, which is home to about 270 million people. Indonesia has so far conducted fewer than 120,000 tests '“ less than 500 per million people.
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BEIRUT '“ Lebanon's churches have welcomed worshippers for the first time in nearly two months.
Most churches were closed to the public to limit the spread of coronavirus, but Lebanese authorities have started easing restrictions that were imposed in March.
Churches and mosques are now permitted to welcome worshippers for congregational prayers on Sundays and Fridays as long as capacities are limited and other safety guidelines including social distancing measures are respected.
Many worshippers entering churches around Lebanon on Sunday were sprayed with disinfectant and had their temperatures checked before they were allowed in to sit at a distance from others.
Masses including the Easter prayers were held in empty churches for the first time in Lebanon's recent history last month. Even during the country's civil war from 1975-90 did not stop its people from going to places of worship.
Lebanon has the largest percentage of Christians in the Middle East, about a third of the country's five million people. The country has registered 809 cases of the coronavirus with 26 deaths attributed to COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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MOSCOW '“ Russia's count of coronavirus infections has climbed above 200,000 after its highest daily tally of new cases.
Figures released Sunday recorded 11,012 new cases of the virus for a total of 209,688, with 1,915 deaths attributed to COVID-19.
Russian officials say the sharp rise in numbers can be attributed to increased testing, at least in part.
More than half the infection cases and deaths are recorded in Moscow, which will remain under a lockdown for the rest of the month.
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia '“ Movement restrictions in Malaysia are to be extended by four weeks until June 9 despite a sharp drop in infections in the country.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says restrictions that were due to end on Tuesday must continue to prevent infections from flaring up in the absence of a vaccine.
The government had already let most businesses reopen with strict conditions from May 4 to help revive its hard-hit economy. But mass gatherings remain barred with schools, cinemas and worship houses staying shut, while group sports are prohibited and interstate travel banned.
Muhyiddin says 6.6 million people, nearly half of the country's labor force, has returned to work with the number expected to increase.
He apologized to ethnic Malay Muslims for disallowing them to return to their hometowns to celebrate the Eid festival at the end of the fasting month, but said gatherings of up to 20 people will be allowed within the same state. He said the government also plans to let worship houses operate with strict measures soon.
Malaysia has recorded 6,589 cases with 108 deaths.
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JOHANNESBURG '“ Africa has more than 60,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to a tally from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Africa CDC says that all but one of the continent's 54 countries, tiny Lesotho, has confirmed cases of the virus. South Africa has the most with more than 9,400 registered.
The widespread shortage of testing capacity continues to be a challenge and means the true figures are likely to be much higher.
Some countries are easing lockdowns even as cases rise, arguing people have to make a living and feed their families despite the risks.
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BERLIN - Police in Germany say dozens of people were detained at protests against the pandemic restrictions after some rallies turned violent on Saturday.
Berlin police said 86 people were detained after bottles were thrown at officers during a demonstration on Alexanderplatz, a large central square in former East Berlin. One officer was injured, and another was injured in a separate incident in front of the Reichstag building where 45 people were detained.
In the western city of Dortmund, police said a man attacked a TV crew during a protest - the third such attack in Germany in the past two weeks. The 23-year-old assailant was arrested.
Police in nearby Cologne expressed outrage that some protesters in the city urged shoppers to remove their masks when entering stores.
'œIt seems like these people still haven't understood that it's not just about their health but also the lives of others,'ť Cologne's police chief said.
Despite the gradual easing of Germany's pandemic restrictions in recent weeks, protests against them have swelled, bringing together far-right groups, C-list celebrities and people who believe the virus is harmless or part of a global conspiracy.
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