In brief
On May 3, 2020, France said a state-funded virus-tracking app would enter testing as restrictions ease from the 11th, and the UK said it would trial a smartphone tracking scheme on the Isle of Wight. Iran, Palestine, Armenia, Israel, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea and Spain are also easing measures in various ways.
Novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues worldwide. As the epidemic keeps spreading outside China, and apart from the "hardest-hit" Italy and Spain, where the situation shows signs of easing, confirmed cases in the United States, India and other countries continue to rise. Besides imposing "national lockdowns" and "city lockdowns", many governments have also asked people not to go out, not to travel abroad, and to maintain social distancing.
France: Digital Affairs Minister Cedric O said on May 3 that, as restrictions are eased in the country from the 11th, a state-funded virus-tracking application (app) will enter its testing phase. The app can assess the risk that an infected person will pass the virus on to others, helping to isolate those who spread the virus.
The French consulate in the United Kingdom stated on May 3 that France's mandatory quarantine measures do not apply to "arrivals from other EU member states, Schengen area countries and the United Kingdom", and that the authorities will announce details shortly.
French Health Minister Olivier Veran said on May 2 that the government has decided to extend the state of emergency, originally due to end on May 11, by two months, until July 24. He added that the government will require everyone returning from overseas, including citizens and travellers, to undergo mandatory two-week quarantine after entering the country, in order to reduce the risk of virus transmission.
United Kingdom: Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said on May 3 that this week a coronavirus tracking scheme will be trialled on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of England. Island residents will be asked to download a smartphone application (app), which, combined with the traditional method of tracing close contacts, is intended to ensure that infected people and their close contacts can isolate at home, reducing the risk of further spread of the virus.
Iran: President Hassan Rouhani announced that mosques in 132 counties nationwide will reopen from May 4. All of the country's mosques have been closed since early March.
Palestine: After a "national lockdown" lasting 40 days, the country's stock exchange has resumed trading, and the government has also begun easing some measures.
Armenia: This country, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, has decided to let shops, restaurants and bars open for business even though confirmed cases are rising.
Israel: The country had earlier closed schools to fight the epidemic. After 50 days, the government announced that Grade 1 and Grade 3 students in Israel and the occupied West Bank can return to school. The government said it will also let students in the top two years of high school return so that they can prepare for major examinations.
Thailand: From May 3, the government is easing some restrictions and allowing some parks and businesses to reopen.
Singapore: Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said on May 3 that Singapore will ease restrictions in the coming weeks. From the 12th, the country will gradually resume manufacturing operations and will also allow shops, including barber shops and laundries, to reopen.
South Korea: South Korea's "social distancing" measures expire on May 5. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on the 3rd that the country will move to a phase of everyday disease prevention from the 6th. Starting on the 6th, the South Korean government will allow facilities that were previously suspended to reopen in stages and, in principle, allow gatherings to be held provided that disease prevention guidelines are followed.
Spain: Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced on May 2 that, from the 4th, people using public transport will be required to wear masks. The government will distribute 6 million masks at public transport hubs and a further 7 million masks to local governments. The authorities will provide funding of 16 billion euros to help rebuild the economies of local governments hit hard by the epidemic.
From the 2nd, the authorities have allowed people to exercise outdoors at different times of day according to their age, the first time this has been permitted in the seven weeks since the lockdown order took effect.
Original article: https://bit.ly/2WfQHAB