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Much of the United States, the world’s hardest-hit nation, is also bracing for a harsh winter, but there was joy and relief in Melbourne when its five million people were able to return to shops and restaurants after months at home.
A woman stands in front of posters after measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus were relaxed, allowing a limited number of people to return to shops, bars, cafes and restaurants in Melbourne on October 28, 2020. Image: AFP
MELBOURNE – Champagne corks exploded in Australia’s second-largest city as the months-long coronavirus shutdown ended on Wednesday, in contrast to growing sadness in Europe, where France and Germany were poised to reintroduce curbs.
The pandemic has unleashed great devastation on the global economy, and in the absence of an effective vaccine or treatment, countries are forced to impose widely unpopular COVID-19 restrictions that have sparked violent clashes in Italy.
Much of the United States, the world’s hardest-hit nation, is also bracing for a harsh winter, but there was joy and relief in Melbourne when its five million people were able to return to shops and restaurants after months at home.
“We have really been looking forward to this day for a long time,” department store manager Magda Combrinck told AFP. “It’s a great day for us.”
Australia’s control of its outbreak was in stark contrast to the virus on the rise in Europe, with Germany regularly reporting 10,000 new infections each day, daily cases in France topping 50,000 and hospitals in Belgium reaching capacity.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is expected to push for blocking measures in crisis talks with the country’s regional leaders on Wednesday. The new proposed restrictions include closing restaurants and bars and putting strict limits on public and private gatherings while keeping schools, daycare centers and shops open, according to daily Bild.
Meanwhile, media reports in France said President Emmanuel Macron may extend the hours of an existing curfew, possibly with a total lockdown on weekends, or order selective closures in the worst affected regions.
And in Russia, an order that makes masks mandatory at public gatherings, on public transport and in elevators will take effect on Wednesday, state news agency TASS reported.
The new restrictions are likely to test the determination and patience of many.
Anger has already boiled over in Italy, where thousands have protested in recent days against anti-coronavirus restrictions.
Some of the demonstrations turned violent, particularly in Milan and Turin on Monday night, where angry youths threw petrol bombs and stones at police cars and smashed shop fronts.
OPTIMISM MEASURED FOR VACCINES
The coronavirus has infected nearly 44 million people worldwide, with more than 1.1 million deaths, and has fueled rapid efforts to develop treatments and vaccines that help restore normalcy.
Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer on Tuesday expressed measured optimism about the possibility of a vaccine being available this year, saying it could supply about 40 million doses in the United States if clinical trials progress as expected and regulatory approval is granted.
But CEO Albert Bourla said the company had yet to hit key benchmarks for evaluating the vaccine’s efficacy.
“We have reached the last mile here,” he said. “So let’s have the patience for something so important to public health and the world economy.”
Key data on the vaccine would not be released before next week’s US elections, with President Donald Trump being flayed by challenger Joe Biden for his handling of the pandemic.
The United States reports tens of thousands of new cases every day, and the total number of cases is rapidly approaching nine million. Around 225,000 people have died.
‘I’M A BIT SCARED’
The economic costs and the resulting political pressure have forced many countries to ease restrictions.
India imposed a strict lockdown in March but had to loosen restrictions to revive its ailing economy. It is now the second most infected nation on the planet, with nearly eight million cases and tens of thousands of new infections detected daily.
On Wednesday, millions of Indians turned out to vote at state polls in Bihar, the largest election in the world since the coronavirus emerged, with 70 million eligible voters.
The stalls were packed and many ignored government advice on wearing masks and social distancing.
“I’m a little scared because corona (virus) is not a small disease,” said Nidhi Kumari, a 21-year-old student.
“But there are precautions in the ballot boxes. They are giving disinfectants and gloves.”
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