Europe divided as coronavirus deaths top 100,000

Some countries prepare to loosen restrictions as worst-hit nations continue lockdown

UK cabinet minister Michael Gove played down prospects of a trade deal with the European Union despite 'hopeful signs'. Reuters

Coronavirus deaths in Europe have topped 100,000 as some countries take tentative steps towards ending lockdowns to confront the continent’s greatest economic crisis for decades.

Two-thirds of deaths from the pandemic have been in Europe after Covid-19 first emerged in China late last year and spread across the world.

Spain and the UK both tightened their restrictions but reductions in new infections in many other European countries have seen governments prepare for a partial easing to boost fragile economies.

Germany said that the virus was now “under control” after 3,400 deaths. Smaller stores, bike and book shops will be among those allowed to reopen on Monday, with some children returning to school within weeks. Switzerland, Denmark and Finland are also to begin reopening shops and schools this week.

The UK has denied reports that it had drawn up plans for a three-stage relaxation of lockdown measures with some schools set to reopen on May 11.

“That is not true, we have not made that decision,” said Michael Gove, a senior Cabinet minister.

UK officials have said the data on new infections is encouraging but have sought to retain the focus on ensuring people remain at home.

Speculation on easing of the lockdown follows mounting criticism of the UK government’s response to the crisis amid continued shortages of protective equipment for frontline medics and criticism of the role of Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the run-up to the crisis. He is currently recovering after being treated in intensive care for Covid-19.

Mr Gove confirmed that Mr Johnson had not attended five of the government’s crisis meetings on coronavirus but said senior ministers normally attended and reported back.

“The idea that the prime minister skipped meetings that were vital to our response to the coronavirus, I think is grotesque," said Mr Gove.

The UK this weekend topped 16,000 deaths, behind only the United States, Italy, Spain and France in numbers of fatalities.

The differing responses to the crisis have highlighted the timing of the virus hitting major European economies but also the uncoordinated measures across the 27-nation European Union.

Senior EU leaders offered heartfelt apologies to Italy last week after no country immediately responded to its request for help through the bloc’s emergency assistance system.

People shout at police officers during a demonstration of conspiracy theorists as other demonstrators protest against the lockdown imposed to slow the spread of coronavirus, in Berlin, Germany. Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks as he points towards China on a chart showing daily mortality cases during the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, US. Reuters

Vehicles of supporters of the group 'Reopen Maryland' filing into Church Circle to protest the state's on-going stay-at-home order due to coronavirus, in Annapolis, Maryland, USA. EPA

French DJ and activist Leslie Barbara Butch plays a set during L'Appart Chez Moi live-stream party while being confined at home during a national lockdown, in Paris, France. EPA

A stranded man cries as he looks for a shelter to spend the night in during the twenty-sixth day of the lockdown imposed by the government, in Kathmandu, Nepal. Reuters

A man pushes his bike in a closed park as the New York City skyline are seen during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in New York City, as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. Reuters

A woman holding a child sits on a motorway surrounded by police while Peruvians who were stranded in Lima during an ongoing quarantine try to make their way to San Martin and other parts of the country, in Lima, Peru. Reuters

A Salvadoran army officer talks with a man detained during a military operation as part of security measures ordered by El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, in La Libertad, El Salvador. Reuters

A police officer points his gun during a motorcade in a protest against Rio de Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel's measures and in support of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Reuters

A volunteer sprays disinfectants to help fight the spread of coronavirus at the Raila Educational Centre in the Kibera slums in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters

A woman waits in line during a food and clothes distribution for homeless people in downtown Birmingham, Alabama US. Reuters

A still image of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II with a message of hope from her special address to the nation is seen on the giant billboard in Piccadilly Square, central London. AFP

A member of the military tests a person at a coronavirus test centre in the car park of Chessington World of Adventures, Chessington, Britain, London, Britain. Reuters

A police personnel sits on a vehicle while patrolling in Yangon. AFP

People watch the remains of Nigeria’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, being buried at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja. AFP

Stay-at-home orders were enforced in Italy and Spain, the hardest hit countries with death tolls of more than 20,000, which will not loosen their measures until May at the earliest.

Spain at the weekend extended its nationwide shutdown to May 9 even as coronavirus deaths rose by 410 on Sunday, the smallest one-day increase for nearly a month.

“Spain has contained the brutal attack of the pandemic,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Saturday. “The gains aren’t enough yet, and they are fragile.”