Italy and Austria start to lift coronavirus lockdowns today with non-essential shops despite WHO warnings

MILLIONS of Europeans will start seeing their lives returning to normal from today as governments ease some coronavirus lockdown measures.

Austria and Italy are allowing thousands of shops to reopen while in Spain non-essential workers are returning to factories and building sites.

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The partial lifting of restrictions after a month comes despite a warning by the World Health Organisation that it could lead to a “deadly resurgence” of coronavirus.

Italy, Europe’s worst-hit country with more than 20,000 deaths, last week extended its nationwide lockdown until at least May 3.

But it is allowing a narrow range of small businesses to reopen including launderettes and shops selling books and children’s clothes.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said: “This is a difficult but necessary decision for which I take all political responsibility.”

However, authorities in Rome decided to delay reopening book shops there.

In Austria, garden centres, DIY stores and small shops under 400 square metres will open today as part of a step-by-step plan to restart the economy.

Strict social distancing rules remain in place, with residents urged to stay at home as much as possible.

And the government has even made it compulsory for people to wear a face mask in supermarkets and pharmacies.

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz last week unveiled plans to lift restrictions gradually, saying he wanted to “come out of this crisis as quickly as possible and fight for every job in Austria”.

Larger shops, shopping centres and hairdressers can reopen on May 1, while restaurants and hotels could follow in mid-May if the number of Covid-19 infections continues to fall.

Denmark is reopening schools for children aged 11 and under from tomorrow, but other reastrictions remain until May 11.

PM Mette Frederiksen compared it to walking a tightrope, saying: “If we open Denmark too quickly, we risk infections rising too sharply and then we’ll have to close down again.”

Spain is allowing some workers to return to work today if they cannot do their jobs from home.

They include builders, cleaners and workers in factories and shipyards.

PM Pedro Sánchez warned at the weekend: “We are still far from victory, from the moment when we will recover normality in our lives.

“We are all keen to go back out on the streets. But our desire is even greater to win the war and prevent a relapse.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been urged to begin lifting the lockdown this week after scientists recommended reopening schools.

But France – hit by almost 15,000 deaths – has extended its lockdown for another four weeks until May 11.

President Emmanuel Macron said the outbreak in France was “beginning to steady… hope is returning” but they could not risk easing the restrictions.

He said: “May 11 will be the start of a new phase. It will be progressive and the rules can be adapted according to our results.”

The UK is also set to continue lockdown measures for another three weeks as deaths have not yet reached the peak.

The World Health Organization has welcomed the slowing down of infections in some European countries but warned against lifting restrictions too early.

Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned: “Lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence.

“The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.”

Globally there are now more than two million confirmed coronavirus infections and 120,000 deaths.