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Spain was one of the first countries in Europe to release its restrictions. Initially, the country had a curfew for residents for months when various industries were allowed to return to their jobs in mid-April.
In Turkey, residents over the age of 65 have been allowed to leave again after seven weeks of curfew. Belgium, Greece and the United Kingdom have also gently relaxed their rules.
In Germany, schools, museums and other companies opened this week after Chancellor Angela Merkel consulted with authorities. Soon, stores will be able to open again, with some hygiene rules. And there is still masking on public transportation and grocery stores. Store owners and other protesters protested against strict government rules.
Second wave risk if restrictions are eased too quickly
Experts have long pointed to the risk of a second wave if the restrictions are released too quickly. Therefore, there are still strict rules that apply to companies that have opened in many countries.
However, there are now several reports that the incidence of infections is increasing again.
Germany, compared to other European countries, has managed to keep the number of infected residents low, but now the infection rate appears to be increasing. The German R number, that is, how many people were infected in turn, has been below 1.0, since Friday at 0.83. Now the R figure has risen to more than 1.1, TT reports.
In South Korea, which has long maintained the death toll with quick and tough action for residents, clubs and restaurants, they have reopened, but after discovering 34 new cases of infection linked to visits to nightclubs, bars they have closed again, writes AFP.
Even Iran, which has been heavily affected by the virus, has seen an increase in infection rates since the country eased the restrictions, writes the Wall Street Journal.
Tegnell on risk in Sweden: low
Sweden’s R figures have been below 1 for the past two weeks, on April 25 it was 0.85.
State epidemiologist Anders Tegnell tells SVT News that the risk of a major second wave in Sweden is lower than in other countries.
This is due to a larger outbreak among the population that is already in the first stage. The number of infected per million is higher in Sweden compared to, for example, Germany, Iran and Denmark.
– The risk is considerably less since we have had a more extensive first wave. I don’t know exactly, but a large proportion of our population is affected, has had the disease, and is immune. But the countries that moved quickly with very harsh measures, there are still many people who can get infected, Tegnell tells the channel.
However, Sweden has also had a significantly higher death rate per million inhabitants than many other European countries. Anders Tegnell and the Public Health Agency have explained the figures of having received the infection in nursing homes, which has generated many deaths among the elderly who are in risk groups for the covid-19 disease. And that is a failure, Tegnell admits.
“We have not been able to protect our elderly,” he said in April of the high death rates.
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