Spain to hand out free face masks for commuters to help return to work
Government will distribute reusable masks at public transport stations, as the country begins to lift its strictest lockdown measures
Millions of face masks are to be given to Spanish commuters to allow some non-essential staff to return to work in the European country with the highest number of coronavirus cases.
The Spanish government will distribute the reusable masks at train and metro stations as well as bus terminals over the next few days, as the country begins to lift its strictest lockdown measures.
Health officials say that while it will not be compulsory to wear them they are urging people to do so following a change in expert advice.
Salvador Illa, Spain’s health minister, said: "We think that with these measures we will prevent a jump in infections.”
The move comes after a complete stoppage of industry and commerce over the past two weeks, as the country’s death toll climbed steeply to 16,353.
But Saturday’s tally of 510 fatalities was the lowest total since March 24, giving hope that Spain’s curve is finally on a downward trajectory. The rise was lower than Friday's rise of 605, which was itself the lowest to date.
A number of non-essential industries will be allowed to return to work, with some factories and construction sites able to reopen.
However other lockdown measures will continue until at least April 26, with another extension on the cards until May 10.
Despite strict home confinement measures to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, France - which has seen more than 13,000 deaths - is to allow people outside to adopt a pet from animal shelters.
The interior ministry announced that from Thursday "tolerance will be granted" for the mercy missions, following an appeal from the Animal Protection Society (SPA).
The society shut its 62 centres to the public three weeks ago, in line with official decrees to limit contact.
But with thousands of animals waiting for a new home it has struggled with overcrowding and urged a re-think.
France’s Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said: "Fully behind the cause of animal welfare, the government has heard the SPA's call and immediately shown the heart to find a sensible solution.
"It has been decided that tolerance will be granted for travel to adopt animals from shelters.”
However, it added a series of restrictions including selecting the pet online and making an appointment for it to be collected by a single person.
Swiss doctors have criticised their Government’s decision not to quarantine the country’s ski resorts at the start of the pandemic.
Corinne Cohen, a doctor at a clinic close to Verbier, where at one medical practice 80 per cent of patients tested positive for Covid-19, described the resorts as “a virus haven”.
The Swiss authorities are being criticised for being slow to adopt the WHO’s recommendations on contact tracing and isolation, and have only ramped up testing in recent weeks.
Annelies Wilder-Smith, a professor of emerging infectious diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who lives in Switzerland, said: “This is the host country of the WHO and the host country initially did not follow WHO advice.”
President Trump has ordered a “robust assistance package” to help Italy tackle the crisis.
The White House said Italy - the country with the highest number of deaths at more than 18,800 - requested the assistance, which will be directed towards its struggling health services.
The Italian authorities stepped up checks on Saturday, particularly around the northern Lombardy region which has borne the brunt of the outbreak.
Roadblocks were set up on main thoroughfares in and out of Milan and along major road exits to discourage people from travelling in the Easter sunshine.
The peninsula has seen a daily drop in the number of deaths from a high of 919 on March to 570 on Friday, with the daily increase in cases also on a downward curve - offering some relief for overstretched health services.
But Domenico Arcuri, Italy's special commissioner for the virus emergency, reiterated the ‘stay home’ message, saying: “Don't do silly things. Don't go out, continue to behave responsibly as you have done until today, use your head and your sense of responsibility."
"The virus has not been defeated, but we are on the right path, we see the indicators but not the end of the tunnel. In fact, the end of the tunnel is still far away."
It comes as Denmark announced it is to reopen schools and day-care centres on Wednesday following a levelling off in the number of coronavirus cases in the country
However, remaining lockdown measures, such as the closure of bars, restaurants, shopping centres and bans of public gatherings of more than 10 people, will remain in place for at least another month.
Denmark's Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, said she was hoping for a “gradual, controlled and quiet reopening of Denmark”, but warned things would not quickly return to normal.
