france24--2020-05-10--Obama calls Trump’s response to Covid-19 pandemic a ‘chaotic disaster’

In this file photo former US President Barack Obama speaks during the `` Bits & Pretzels '' start-ups and founder congress in Munich , Germany , September 29 , 2019 , Former President Barack Obama harshly criticized President Donald Trump ’ s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as an “ absolute chaotic disaster ” during a conversation with ex-members of his administration , according to a recording obtained by Yahoo News .
Obama also reacted to the Justice Department dropping its criminal case against Trump ’ s first national security adviser , Michael Flynn , saying he worried that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is at risk.
” More than 78,400 people with COVID-19 have died in the United States and more than 1.3 million people have tested positive , according to the latest estimates from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University .
Obama ’ s comments came during a Friday call with 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association , people who served in his administration .
Obama urged his supporters to back his former vice president , Joe Biden , who is trying to unseat Trump in the Nov. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish , being tribal , being divided , and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life .
And by the way , we ’ re seeing that internationally as well .
It ’ s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty , ” Obama said , according to Yahoo News .
“ It would have been bad even with the best of governments .
It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindset — of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government , '' he said .
Trump has consistently defended and boasted of his response to the virus , saying that travel restrictions from China and Europe as well as social distancing guidelines have prevented far greater damage .
“ I think we saved millions of lives , ” he said earlier this week .
Trump has criticized the Obama administration in relation to his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak .
Yet Trump ’ s contention that his administration inherited “ a broken system and a broken test ” from Obama ’ s is false ; the novel coronavirus did not exist until late last year .
In fact , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention struggled to develop its own test in January and then discovered problems in its kits in February .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not mention Obama directly in her response to his remarks .
“ President Trump ’ s coronavirus response has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
“ While Democrats were pursuing a sham witch hunt against President Trump , President Trump was shutting down travel from China . ''
She added : “ While Democrats encouraged mass gatherings , President Trump was deploying PPE , ventilators , and testing across the country . ''
Obama has generally kept a low profile on current political events , even when Trump would disparage him or his administration on Twitter .
But Friday 's call indicates that he 'll be playing an active role in the coming election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ spending as much time as necessary and campaigning as hard as I can for Joe Biden .
”

Former President Barack Obama harshly criticized President Donald Trump’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic as an “absolute chaotic disaster” during a conversation with ex-members of his administration, according to a recording obtained by Yahoo News.
In this file photo former US President Barack Obama speaks during the "Bits & Pretzels" start-ups and founder congress in Munich, Germany, September 29, 2019,
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Obama also reacted to the Justice Department dropping its criminal case against Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, saying he worried that the “basic understanding of rule of law is at risk.”
More than 78,400 people with COVID-19 have died in the United States and more than 1.3 million people have tested positive, according to the latest estimates from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University.
Obama’s comments came during a Friday call with 3,000 members of the Obama Alumni Association, people who served in his administration. Obama urged his supporters to back his former vice president, Joe Biden, who is trying to unseat Trump in the Nov. 3 election.
“What we’re fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided, and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life. And by the way, we’re seeing that internationally as well. It’s part of the reason why the response to this global crisis has been so anemic and spotty,” Obama said, according to Yahoo News.
“It would have been bad even with the best of governments. It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset — of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ — when that mindset is operationalized in our government," he said.
White House press secretary responds
Trump has consistently defended and boasted of his response to the virus, saying that travel restrictions from China and Europe as well as social distancing guidelines have prevented far greater damage. “I think we saved millions of lives,” he said earlier this week.
Trump has criticized the Obama administration in relation to his own administration’s response to the outbreak. Yet Trump’s contention that his administration inherited “a broken system and a broken test” from Obama’s is false; the novel coronavirus did not exist until late last year. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention struggled to develop its own test in January and then discovered problems in its kits in February.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany did not mention Obama directly in her response to his remarks.
“President Trump’s coronavirus response has been unprecedented and saved American lives," she said. “While Democrats were pursuing a sham witch hunt against President Trump, President Trump was shutting down travel from China."
She added: “While Democrats encouraged mass gatherings, President Trump was deploying PPE, ventilators, and testing across the country."
Obama has generally kept a low profile on current political events, even when Trump would disparage him or his administration on Twitter. But Friday's call indicates that he'll be playing an active role in the coming election. He told supporters that he would be “spending as much time as necessary and campaigning as hard as I can for Joe Biden.”
(AP)
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france24--2020-05-10--Seoul mayor orders bars, clubs shut after new Covid-19 cases in South Korea

A woman wearing a mask walks in front of a closed nightclub in Seoul , South Korea on May 10 , 2020 .
Jung Yeon-je AFP South Korea 's capital has ordered the closure of all clubs and bars after a burst of new cases sparked fears of a second coronavirus wave as President Moon Jae-in urged the public to remain vigilant .
The nation has been held up as a global model in how to curb the virus , but the order from the Seoul mayor on Saturday followed the new infection cluster in Itaewon , one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than two dozen cases were linked to a 29-year-old man who tested positive after spending time at five clubs and bars in Itaewon last weekend .
Health authorities have warned of a further spike in infections , with around 7,200 people estimated to have visited the five establishments identified .
`` Carelessness can lead to an explosion in infections , '' Seoul mayor Park Won-soon said , adding the order will remain in effect indefinitely .
Park asked those who visited those clubs and bars to come forward voluntarily .
Of the 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 17 were tied to the Itaewon cluster , according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
The jump in new infections comes as everyday life in South Korea has slowly started returning to normal , with the government relaxing social distancing rules last Wednesday .
President Moon said Sunday that the fresh infection cluster had `` raised awareness that even during the stabilisation phase , similar situations can arise again anytime '' .
`` It 's not over until it 's over , '' Moon said during a speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` While keeping enhanced alertness till the end , we must never lower our guard regarding epidemic prevention , '' he added .
Moon has enjoyed growing public support on the back of his government 's handling of the virus , which led to a landslide victory for his ruling party at last month 's parliamentary elections .
The country reported 34 new cases on Sunday -- its largest daily increase in a month -- taking the total to 10,874 .
South Koreans reacted with fury and fear to the news of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What a disaster ... Is this the beginning of another wave of a nationwide coronavirus outbreak ? ''
wrote one online user .
Another commentator added : `` It 's outrageous how selfish and ignorant people can be .
We should all stay home . ''
The country endured one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside mainland China , and while it never imposed a compulsory lockdown , strict social distancing had been widely observed since March .
But it appears to have brought its outbreak under control thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat '' programme that has drawn widespread praise .
Facilities like museums and churches have returned to business and some professional sports , including baseball and soccer , have begun new seasons , while schools are set to reopen starting next week .

South Korea's capital has ordered the closure of all clubs and bars after a burst of new cases sparked fears of a second coronavirus wave as President Moon Jae-in urged the public to remain vigilant.
A woman wearing a mask walks in front of a closed nightclub in Seoul, South Korea on May 10, 2020. Jung Yeon-je AFP
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The nation has been held up as a global model in how to curb the virus, but the order from the Seoul mayor on Saturday followed the new infection cluster in Itaewon, one of the city's busiest nightlife districts.
More than two dozen cases were linked to a 29-year-old man who tested positive after spending time at five clubs and bars in Itaewon last weekend.
Health authorities have warned of a further spike in infections, with around 7,200 people estimated to have visited the five establishments identified.
"Carelessness can lead to an explosion in infections," Seoul mayor Park Won-soon said, adding the order will remain in effect indefinitely.
Park asked those who visited those clubs and bars to come forward voluntarily.
Of the 18 new South Korean cases reported on Saturday, 17 were tied to the Itaewon cluster, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The jump in new infections comes as everyday life in South Korea has slowly started returning to normal, with the government relaxing social distancing rules last Wednesday.
President Moon said Sunday that the fresh infection cluster had "raised awareness that even during the stabilisation phase, similar situations can arise again anytime".
'Not over'
"It's not over until it's over," Moon said during a speech marking his third anniversary of taking office.
"While keeping enhanced alertness till the end, we must never lower our guard regarding epidemic prevention," he added.
Moon has enjoyed growing public support on the back of his government's handling of the virus, which led to a landslide victory for his ruling party at last month's parliamentary elections.
The country reported 34 new cases on Sunday -- its largest daily increase in a month -- taking the total to 10,874.
South Koreans reacted with fury and fear to the news of the latest spike in infections.
"What a disaster... Is this the beginning of another wave of a nationwide coronavirus outbreak?" wrote one online user.
Another commentator added: "It's outrageous how selfish and ignorant people can be. We should all stay home."
The country endured one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside mainland China, and while it never imposed a compulsory lockdown, strict social distancing had been widely observed since March.
But it appears to have brought its outbreak under control thanks to an extensive "trace, test and treat" programme that has drawn widespread praise.
Facilities like museums and churches have returned to business and some professional sports, including baseball and soccer, have begun new seasons, while schools are set to reopen starting next week.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-10--Countries set to lift lockdown measures as world’s Covid-19 cases surpass 4 million

A man sits on the back of his rickshaw as he waits for passengers to offer a ride in Karachi , Pakistan on May 9 , 2020 , after the country announced the lifting of some Covid-19 lockdown curbs .
The number of coronavirus cases worldwide topped four million as some of the hardest-hit countries readied Sunday to lift lockdown restrictions , despite concerns about a second wave of infections .
Governments around the world are trying to stop the spread of the disease while scrambling for ways to relieve pressure on their economies , which are facing a historic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But with the death toll already past 277,000 , nations are keen to avoid second waves of infections that could overwhelm their healthcare systems , with a new cluster of cases in South Korea raising fears about the virus hitting back rapidly .
Amid the barrage of deaths , some European countries have cited signs of progress that they said justified cautious steps towards a sense of normality .
Officials in France on Saturday said the day 's death toll of 80 was the lowest since early April , while nursing home fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to relax curbs on public movement imposed eight weeks ago .
The easing , to begin Monday , has brought mixed reactions .
`` I 've been scared to death '' about the reopening , said Maya Flandin , a bookshop manager from Lyon .
`` It 's a big responsibility to have to protect my staff and my customers . ''
French health officials have warned that `` the epidemic remains active and is evolving '' , and that social distancing must be kept up even as restrictions are eased .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be allowed out on Monday for limited socialisation , and restaurants will be able to offer some outdoor service as the country begins a phased transition set to last through June .
Fears lingered , however , of a resurgence , and authorities excluded Madrid and Barcelona -- two COVID-19 hotspots -- from the first phase .
Belgium is also easing some restrictions on Monday , and in some parts of Germany , bars and restaurants reopened on Saturday with further easing set for Monday .
Overall , the situation in Europe was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reportedly planning to announce on Sunday that all overseas visitors will face a mandatory two-week quarantine , and the European Union warned against opening borders to travellers from outside the bloc .
Across Europe , commemorations marking 75 years since Nazi Germany 's surrender were cancelled or scaled down .
And Poland 's election on Sunday will be one for the history books as polling stations remain closed and turnout will clock in at zero due to a political crisis set off by the pandemic -- the presidential ballot is formally neither postponed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were unable to agree on a constitutional and safe solution .
South Korea 's capital Seoul shut all bars and clubs on Saturday after a burst of cases were tracked to one of the city 's busiest nightlife districts .
Even as the country eased virus restrictions , officials warned against carelessness after the new cluster of infections , highlighting the challenge of containing the spread of the deadly disease while pursuing an economic revival .
Global economic figures are pointing to the most acute downturn in nearly a century with businesses forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and pressure is growing on leaders around the world to find a way out .
In the United States , the country with the world 's highest death toll , President Donald Trump faced sharp criticism from his predecessor Barack Obama , who said on a leaked tape that Trump 's handling of the crisis was an `` absolute chaotic disaster '' .
Facing re-election in November , Trump has insisted that next year would be `` phenomenal '' for the US economy , urging reopening in a country where the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily .
The United States lost an unprecedented 20.5 million jobs in April , driving the unemployment rate to 14.7 percent -- the highest level since the Great Depression .
Health experts have cautioned that while the growth of cases may be slowing in some European and Asian countries , other nations -- many of them impoverished -- are only in the first phases of their outbreaks .
In Iran , the Middle East 's virus epicentre , many were taking advantage of loosened restrictions despite worries about a spike in infections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamed , a 22-year-old out on the streets of the capital Tehran without a mask .
`` People have to go to work since this virus has been with us for about three months now . ''
And in neighbouring Pakistan , the world 's fifth most-populous country , the government ended the lockdown on Saturday and locals streamed into markets and shops , despite still-high infection rates .
Tehmina Sattar , shopping with her sister and sons in Rawalpindi , said : `` We are happy with this decision , but at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my heart that if this disease spreads it could be devastating . ''

The number of coronavirus cases worldwide topped four million as some of the hardest-hit countries readied Sunday to lift lockdown restrictions, despite concerns about a second wave of infections.
A man sits on the back of his rickshaw as he waits for passengers to offer a ride in Karachi, Pakistan on May 9, 2020, after the country announced the lifting of some Covid-19 lockdown curbs.
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Governments around the world are trying to stop the spread of the disease while scrambling for ways to relieve pressure on their economies, which are facing a historic downturn with millions pushed into unemployment.
But with the death toll already past 277,000, nations are keen to avoid second waves of infections that could overwhelm their healthcare systems, with a new cluster of cases in South Korea raising fears about the virus hitting back rapidly.
Amid the barrage of deaths, some European countries have cited signs of progress that they said justified cautious steps towards a sense of normality.
Officials in France on Saturday said the day's death toll of 80 was the lowest since early April, while nursing home fatalities also fell sharply as the nation prepared to relax curbs on public movement imposed eight weeks ago.
The easing, to begin Monday, has brought mixed reactions.
"I've been scared to death" about the reopening, said Maya Flandin, a bookshop manager from Lyon. "It's a big responsibility to have to protect my staff and my customers."
French health officials have warned that "the epidemic remains active and is evolving", and that social distancing must be kept up even as restrictions are eased.
In Spain, about half the population will be allowed out on Monday for limited socialisation, and restaurants will be able to offer some outdoor service as the country begins a phased transition set to last through June.
Fears lingered, however, of a resurgence, and authorities excluded Madrid and Barcelona -- two COVID-19 hotspots -- from the first phase.
Belgium is also easing some restrictions on Monday, and in some parts of Germany, bars and restaurants reopened on Saturday with further easing set for Monday.
Overall, the situation in Europe was still far from normal.
Britain is reportedly planning to announce on Sunday that all overseas visitors will face a mandatory two-week quarantine, and the European Union warned against opening borders to travellers from outside the bloc.
Across Europe, commemorations marking 75 years since Nazi Germany's surrender were cancelled or scaled down.
And Poland's election on Sunday will be one for the history books as polling stations remain closed and turnout will clock in at zero due to a political crisis set off by the pandemic -- the presidential ballot is formally neither postponed nor cancelled because the government and opposition were unable to agree on a constitutional and safe solution.
'Phenomenal' recovery?
South Korea's capital Seoul shut all bars and clubs on Saturday after a burst of cases were tracked to one of the city's busiest nightlife districts.
Even as the country eased virus restrictions, officials warned against carelessness after the new cluster of infections, highlighting the challenge of containing the spread of the deadly disease while pursuing an economic revival.
Global economic figures are pointing to the most acute downturn in nearly a century with businesses forced to shut and supply lines badly disrupted, and pressure is growing on leaders around the world to find a way out.
In the United States, the country with the world's highest death toll, President Donald Trump faced sharp criticism from his predecessor Barack Obama, who said on a leaked tape that Trump's handling of the crisis was an "absolute chaotic disaster".
Facing re-election in November, Trump has insisted that next year would be "phenomenal" for the US economy, urging reopening in a country where the virus continues to claim well over 1,000 lives daily.
The United States lost an unprecedented 20.5 million jobs in April, driving the unemployment rate to 14.7 percent -- the highest level since the Great Depression.
'Life costs money'
Health experts have cautioned that while the growth of cases may be slowing in some European and Asian countries, other nations -- many of them impoverished -- are only in the first phases of their outbreaks.
In Iran, the Middle East's virus epicentre, many were taking advantage of loosened restrictions despite worries about a spike in infections.
"Life costs money," said Hamed, a 22-year-old out on the streets of the capital Tehran without a mask. "People have to go to work since this virus has been with us for about three months now."
And in neighbouring Pakistan, the world's fifth most-populous country, the government ended the lockdown on Saturday and locals streamed into markets and shops, despite still-high infection rates.
Tehmina Sattar, shopping with her sister and sons in Rawalpindi, said: "We are happy with this decision, but at the same time I have a fear in my heart that if this disease spreads it could be devastating."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-10--Three White House task force members, including Fauci, in self-quarantine after Covid-19 exposure

Dr Anthony Fauci , the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force , speaks during a press conference in Washington , D.C. on April 13 , 2020 .
Three officials guiding the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic were in self-quarantine on Saturday after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the disease , their agencies and spokesmen said .
Anthony Fauci , a high-profile member of the White House coronavirus response team , is considered to be at relatively low risk based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a representative for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases .
Fauci , the 79-year-old director of that institute , has tested negative for COVID-19 and he will continue to be tested regularly , the official said in an emailed statement .
Robert Redfield , director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , `` will be teleworking for the next two weeks '' after a `` low-risk exposure '' on Wednesday to a person at the White House who has the disease , the CDC said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years old .
He is `` feeling fine '' and has no symptoms , the statement added .
If required to go to the White House , Redfield will follow the CDC 's safety practices like taking temperature , screening for symptoms each day , wearing a face covering , and distancing , the CDC said .
U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) Commissioner Stephen Hahn , who is 60 , is also in self-quarantine for a couple of weeks after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late on Friday .
All three officials were scheduled to testify on Tuesday to a Senate committee looking at steps that states and the federal government are taking to reopen businesses and schools after coronavirus shut-downs .
The coronavirus is especially dangerous to the elderly .
According to the CDC , eight out of 10 deaths in the United States from COVID-19 have been people 65-years and older .
Hahn immediately took a diagnostic test for the coronavirus and the results were negative , FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum said in an emailed statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a note to staff today , he recently came into contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 .
Per CDC guidelines , he is now in self-quarantine for the next two weeks , '' the spokesman said .
Politico reported Hahn had come into contact with Katie Miller , U.S. Vice President Mike Pence 's press secretary .
Miller , the wife of one of Trump 's senior advisers , tested positive on Friday , raising alarm about the potential spread of the virus within the White House 's innermost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House immigration adviser and speech writer Stephen Miller .
A valet for Vice President Mike Pence has also tested positive .
There have been some 1.32 million cases of the coronavirus recorded in the United States , with some 78,000 deaths , while overall there have been more than four million reported infections and nearly 277,000 deaths around the world , according to a Reuters tally as of early Sunday .

Three officials guiding the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic were in self-quarantine on Saturday after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for the disease, their agencies and spokesmen said.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus task force, speaks during a press conference in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2020.
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Anthony Fauci, a high-profile member of the White House coronavirus response team, is considered to be at relatively low risk based on the degree of his exposure, according to a representative for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Fauci, the 79-year-old director of that institute, has tested negative for COVID-19 and he will continue to be tested regularly, the official said in an emailed statement.
Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "will be teleworking for the next two weeks" after a "low-risk exposure" on Wednesday to a person at the White House who has the disease, the CDC said in a statement.
Redfield is 68 years old. He is "feeling fine" and has no symptoms, the statement added.
If required to go to the White House, Redfield will follow the CDC's safety practices like taking temperature, screening for symptoms each day, wearing a face covering, and distancing, the CDC said.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Stephen Hahn, who is 60, is also in self-quarantine for a couple of weeks after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the illness, an FDA spokesman told Reuters late on Friday.
All three officials were scheduled to testify on Tuesday to a Senate committee looking at steps that states and the federal government are taking to reopen businesses and schools after coronavirus shut-downs.
The coronavirus is especially dangerous to the elderly. According to the CDC, eight out of 10 deaths in the United States from COVID-19 have been people 65-years and older.
Hahn immediately took a diagnostic test for the coronavirus and the results were negative, FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum said in an emailed statement.
"As Dr. Hahn wrote in a note to staff today, he recently came into contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. Per CDC guidelines, he is now in self-quarantine for the next two weeks," the spokesman said.
Politico reported Hahn had come into contact with Katie Miller, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence's press secretary.
Miller, the wife of one of Trump's senior advisers, tested positive on Friday, raising alarm about the potential spread of the virus within the White House's innermost circle.
Miller is married to White House immigration adviser and speech writer Stephen Miller. A valet for Vice President Mike Pence has also tested positive.
There have been some 1.32 million cases of the coronavirus recorded in the United States, with some 78,000 deaths, while overall there have been more than four million reported infections and nearly 277,000 deaths around the world, according to a Reuters tally as of early Sunday.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-10--‘We’re afraid of tomorrow’: Syrian refugees face hunger, poverty amid Covid-19 downturns

In this photo from March 17 , 2020 , Syrian refugees walk out of a building under construction that they were using as shelter in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon .
Ahmad al-Mostafa ca n't afford milk for his baby daughter .
A Syrian refugee , he has barely been able to feed his family since Lebanon sank into economic crisis last year .
But now , a coronavirus lockdown has made things even worse .
`` Nobody will hire us anymore , '' said the 28-year-old , who lost his restaurant job a few months ago .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ debt at the local minimarket getting food before the owner said he could borrow no more .
`` We 're afraid of tomorrow , '' he said .
`` We do n't know what will happen to us.
” His plight echoes that facing many of the 5.6 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon , Jordan and Turkey , who had scraped by on meagre daily wages but now find even that is denied them as the coronavirus pandemic forces their host countries into shutdown .
Many Lebanese have themselves been hit by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent prices soaring , and have become less tolerant of the Syrians who have boosted the population by around 1.5 million to some 6 million .
`` Every time I go looking for work , they tell me they do n't hire Syrians , '' said Mostafa , who fled into north Lebanon in 2014 .
`` I 'm sitting indoors - and everything is expensive . ''
He can no longer afford diapers , which have doubled in price , and he relies on a charitable neighbour who gets milk for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are worried about starving than about the virus , said Mireille Girard , representative of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR in Lebanon .
In a survey last month , UNHCR found 70 % were going hungry , while many could not buy soap .
Since Syria 's war erupted nine years ago , many have languished in crowded camps where aid workers fear any COVID-19 outbreak would be rapid and lethal .
In Jordan , the Zaatari camp , home to 80,000 Syrian refugees , has been closed off by the authorities during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to go out to work on farms every day can no longer do so .
Jordan hosts some 900,000 refugees in all , most of whom live outside the camps .
Abdullah Aba Zaid , who used to get work picking tomatoes , has had no income for two months .
`` For the last 10 days , I have n't had a single penny in the house even to pay for bread .
I am borrowing from here and there , '' he said .
`` Everyone is waiting for God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But even as businesses return to work after the government eased curbs this week , job losses are on the rise , making more Syrians dependent on already strained aid efforts .
UNHCR is getting more calls for help from refugee families who had been largely self-reliant , said Dominik Bartsch , its Jordan representative .
Some Syrians said their accumulating debts had forced them to sell U.N. food coupons to pay for rent and basic goods .
Since Turkey 's economy tipped into a brief recession two years ago , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with some saying they have driven down wages and taken jobs from locals .
Many of the three and a half million Syrian refugees work as day labourers in construction and manufacturing , especially textile factories - sectors that have been hard hit by the pandemic curbs .
Unlike millions of Turkish workers who lost their wages , Syrians do not benefit from government aid packages but can apply for food aid from local municipalities .
Still , many have no basic protection against the virus .
One in five does not have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kadkoy of the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey ( TEPAV ) .
`` This brings the issue to an alarming level and the government should be acting to contain ( it ) .
” In a camp in Lebanon 's Bekaa valley , which authorities have sealed off during the lockdown , Younes Hamdou can not find bread .
Clean water is also scarce , illness rife and social distancing nearly impossible .
`` We are prisoners ... We have no immunity because of the lack of food , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Syrians have gone hungry .
Everyone is hungry .
”

Ahmad al-Mostafa can't afford milk for his baby daughter. A Syrian refugee, he has barely been able to feed his family since Lebanon sank into economic crisis last year. But now, a coronavirus lockdown has made things even worse.
In this photo from March 17, 2020, Syrian refugees walk out of a building under construction that they were using as shelter in the city of Sidon in southern Lebanon.
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"Nobody will hire us anymore," said the 28-year-old, who lost his restaurant job a few months ago. He racked up hundreds of dollars in debt at the local minimarket getting food before the owner said he could borrow no more.
"We're afraid of tomorrow," he said. "We don't know what will happen to us.”
His plight echoes that facing many of the 5.6 million Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, who had scraped by on meagre daily wages but now find even that is denied them as the coronavirus pandemic forces their host countries into shutdown.
Many Lebanese have themselves been hit by a financial crisis that has evaporated jobs and sent prices soaring, and have become less tolerant of the Syrians who have boosted the population by around 1.5 million to some 6 million.
'They don't hire Syrians'
"Every time I go looking for work, they tell me they don't hire Syrians," said Mostafa, who fled into north Lebanon in 2014. "I'm sitting indoors - and everything is expensive."
He can no longer afford diapers, which have doubled in price, and he relies on a charitable neighbour who gets milk for his one-year-old daughter.
More refugees say they are worried about starving than about the virus, said Mireille Girard, representative of the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR in Lebanon.
In a survey last month, UNHCR found 70% were going hungry, while many could not buy soap. Since Syria's war erupted nine years ago, many have languished in crowded camps where aid workers fear any COVID-19 outbreak would be rapid and lethal.
'Not a single penny'
In Jordan, the Zaatari camp, home to 80,000 Syrian refugees, has been closed off by the authorities during a two-month lockdown, meaning those who used to go out to work on farms every day can no longer do so.
Jordan hosts some 900,000 refugees in all, most of whom live outside the camps.
Abdullah Aba Zaid, who used to get work picking tomatoes, has had no income for two months.
"For the last 10 days, I haven't had a single penny in the house even to pay for bread. I am borrowing from here and there," he said. "Everyone is waiting for God's mercy ... hoping things will improve.”
But even as businesses return to work after the government eased curbs this week, job losses are on the rise, making more Syrians dependent on already strained aid efforts.
UNHCR is getting more calls for help from refugee families who had been largely self-reliant, said Dominik Bartsch, its Jordan representative.
Some Syrians said their accumulating debts had forced them to sell U.N. food coupons to pay for rent and basic goods.
'Everyone is hungry'
Since Turkey's economy tipped into a brief recession two years ago, the public mood towards Syrians has soured, with some saying they have driven down wages and taken jobs from locals.
Many of the three and a half million Syrian refugees work as day labourers in construction and manufacturing, especially textile factories - sectors that have been hard hit by the pandemic curbs.
Unlike millions of Turkish workers who lost their wages, Syrians do not benefit from government aid packages but can apply for food aid from local municipalities. Still, many have no basic protection against the virus.
One in five does not have access to clean water, said Omar Kadkoy of the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV). "This brings the issue to an alarming level and the government should be acting to contain (it).”
In a camp in Lebanon's Bekaa valley, which authorities have sealed off during the lockdown, Younes Hamdou cannot find bread. Clean water is also scarce, illness rife and social distancing nearly impossible.
"We are prisoners ... We have no immunity because of the lack of food," he said. "Lebanese people have gone hungry, Syrians have gone hungry. Everyone is hungry.”
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-09--Covid-19: Fewer than 100 new deaths in France as hospitalisations continue to fall

Two days before France begins to ease its lockdown , the daily death toll from Covid-19 fell below the 100 mark .
French health officials on Saturday announced another 80 deaths from the new coronavirus , the lowest figure recorded over 24 hours since early April .
The figures for those in intensive care also fell , with 38 people admitted for critical care .
The death toll in France now stands at 26,310 , one of the Europe 's highest .
Just four of the latest fatalities were registered in nursing homes , a spectacular fall compared with daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died in hospital .
France is on Monday due to begin relaxing lockdown restrictions imposed eight weeks ago with health authorities now registering much reduced pressures on intensive care services compared to the height of the crisis .
In all , 22,614 sufferers remain hospitalised , including 265 new admissions on Friday .
A total of 95,829 people have been hospitalised since the start of the epidemic and to date 56,038 people have returned home following treatment .
`` The epidemic remains active and is evolving , and the virus is circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' France 's health directorate general noted as it warned that social distancing should be kept up even as de-confinement begins .
Although France is hoping the worst may be over as it rolls back some restrictions , parliament on Saturday evening definitively adopted a bill extending the country 's health state of emergency until July 10 .
The upper house senate had earlier given its green light to the text despite some opposition fears that measures to track those infected with the virus and their contacts could infringe their privacy

French health officials on Saturday announced another 80 deaths from the new coronavirus, the lowest figure recorded over 24 hours since early April.
Two days before France begins to ease its lockdown, the daily death toll from Covid-19 fell below the 100 mark.
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The figures for those in intensive care also fell, with 38 people admitted for critical care.
The death toll in France now stands at 26,310, one of the Europe's highest.
Just four of the latest fatalities were registered in nursing homes, a spectacular fall compared with daily figures for recent weeks, against 76 who died in hospital.
France is on Monday due to begin relaxing lockdown restrictions imposed eight weeks ago with health authorities now registering much reduced pressures on intensive care services compared to the height of the crisis.
In all, 22,614 sufferers remain hospitalised, including 265 new admissions on Friday.
A total of 95,829 people have been hospitalised since the start of the epidemic and to date 56,038 people have returned home following treatment.
"The epidemic remains active and is evolving, and the virus is circulating in many zones across the country," France's health directorate general noted as it warned that social distancing should be kept up even as de-confinement begins.
Although France is hoping the worst may be over as it rolls back some restrictions, parliament on Saturday evening definitively adopted a bill extending the country's health state of emergency until July 10.
The upper house senate had earlier given its green light to the text despite some opposition fears that measures to track those infected with the virus and their contacts could infringe their privacy
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-05-10--Covid-19: UK's Johnson announces phased easing of lockdown

A woman watches Britain 's Prime Minister Boris Johnson give a televised message to the nation in Brenchley , south east England on May 10 , 2020 , as the government sets out it 's roadmap to ease the national lockdown due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic .
Britain will begin easing some coronavirus lockdown measures this week , but most will stay in place until at least June 1 , Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday , as he unveiled cautious plans to lift restrictions imposed seven weeks ago .
`` This is not the time simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said in a televised address but added that some primary school children could return and shops re-open from June 1 .
Johnson said some public places could re-open from July 1 but warned air passengers travelling to Britain faced quarantine measures .
French President Emmanuel Macron 's office said on Sunday that the travellers coming from France will not be subjected to quarantine at this stage , adding that any such measure would be reciprocal and only be imposed after mutual consultation .
Britain has seen nearly 32,000 deaths in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind the United States , and the worst in Europe .
But despite passing the peak of the outbreak , Johnson said it would be `` madness '' to waste the sacrifices the public had made since the lockdown .
Further details of what he stressed was a `` conditional plan '' would be outlined in parliament on Monday , he said .
It centres around a five-phase Covid Alert Level similar to the system in place for security threats , with one the lowest and five the highest .
Johnson said Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak and `` careful steps '' were needed to move to level three , even as transmission rates varied around the country .
As a first step , the new guidelines again urge people who can to work from home but those who can not to maintain social distancing and avoid public transport .
Johnson said there would be some easing of restrictions from Wednesday , allowing `` unlimited exercise '' , sport and sunbathing , but only within households .
`` In step two , at the earliest by June 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into school , in stages , beginning with reception ( age four to five ) , year one ( age five to six ) and year six ( 10-11 ) , '' he added .
In step three , `` at the earliest by July ... we will hope to reopen at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places , provided they are safe and enforce social distancing '' , he added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ including locally , if there is a surge in cases .
`` We have been through the initial peak but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous , '' he added .

Britain will begin easing some coronavirus lockdown measures this week, but most will stay in place until at least June 1, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday, as he unveiled cautious plans to lift restrictions imposed seven weeks ago.
A woman watches Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson give a televised message to the nation in Brenchley, south east England on May 10, 2020, as the government sets out it's roadmap to ease the national lockdown due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
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"This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week," he said in a televised address but added that some primary school children could return and shops re-open from June 1.
Johnson said some public places could re-open from July 1 but warned air passengers travelling to Britain faced quarantine measures.
French President Emmanuel Macron's office said on Sunday that the travellers coming from France will not be subjected to quarantine at this stage, adding that any such measure would be reciprocal and only be imposed after mutual consultation.
Britain has seen nearly 32,000 deaths in the outbreak -- the second-worst cumulative death toll behind the United States, and the worst in Europe.
But despite passing the peak of the outbreak, Johnson said it would be "madness" to waste the sacrifices the public had made since the lockdown.
Further details of what he stressed was a "conditional plan" would be outlined in parliament on Monday, he said.
It centres around a five-phase Covid Alert Level similar to the system in place for security threats, with one the lowest and five the highest.
Johnson said Britain had been at level four throughout the outbreak and "careful steps" were needed to move to level three, even as transmission rates varied around the country.
As a first step, the new guidelines again urge people who can to work from home but those who cannot to maintain social distancing and avoid public transport.
Johnson said there would be some easing of restrictions from Wednesday, allowing "unlimited exercise", sport and sunbathing, but only within households.
"In step two, at the earliest by June 1, after half-term, we believe we may be in a position to begin the phased reopening of shops and to get primary pupils back into school, in stages, beginning with reception (age four to five), year one (age five to six) and year six (10-11)," he added.
In step three, "at the earliest by July... we will hope to reopen at least some of the hospitality industry and other public places, provided they are safe and enforce social distancing", he added.
Johnson indicated restrictions could be reimposed, including locally, if there is a surge in cases.
"We have been through the initial peak but it is coming down the mountain that is often more dangerous," he added.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
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france24--2020-05-10--France holds its breath on the eve of Covid-19 lockdown lifting

A member of the Marseille Naval Fire Battalion stands near a queue at a Covid-19 screening for municipal school employees at the University-Hospital Institute ( IHU ) Mediterranee Infection in Marseille , southeastern France , on May 7 , 2020 , ahead of the easing of lockdown measures in France .
As France begins to lift its eight-week Covid-19 lockdown , the government is stepping up efforts to ‘ protect , test and isolate ’ .
But many still fear a second wave .
When French President Emmanuel Macron announced in mid-April that the country would begin lifting its Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was effectively giving his government a deadline .
In order for even a partial reopening not to provoke a disastrous second wave of the epidemic , the country ’ s public health capacities would need to be dramatically expanded – and fast .
“ Starting on May 11 we will have a new system to make this step a success , ” Macron said on April 13 before a record TV audience .
He promised that every French resident would get access to a “ mask for the general public ” ( if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that anyone presenting Covid-19 symptoms would be able to get tested , and that 10,000 new , domestically produced ventilators would be supplied to hospitals to dramatically ramp up intensive care capacity .
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has summed up the government ’ s strategy succinctly : “ Protect , test , isolate ” .
On the eve of the partial lockdown lifting , however , many are worried that the French government has not done enough to prepare the country for a safe reopening .
A key premise of the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is widespread testing .
French authorities have faced severe criticism for falling short on testing in the early stages of the epidemic , even as the World Health Organization urged countries to “ test , test , test ” .
On Thursday , at a press conference confirming the government ’ s May 11 plans , Health Minister Olivier Véran said France is now “ ready to test massively ” , pointing to a map that showed testing capacity at 100 percent nationwide .
A spokesperson from the French health ministry told FRANCE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been carrying out between 200,000 and 270,000 Covid-19 tests per week , and that the country is pursuing a “ mobilisation of all laboratories and testing sites to arrive at a capacity of 700,000 tests ” per week , a number first evoked by government officials in late April .
The spokesperson confirmed that the government believes it can roughly triple its current capacity to meet the 700,000 goal as early as this coming week , with veterinarians , police and drive-through stations supplementing the efforts of private and public laboratories and hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are sceptical .
“ On the issue of tests , everyone is lying , ” Dr. Philippe Froguel of the Lille university hospital center told France 3 .
He called the government ’ s goal “ impossible ” .
Moreover , epidemiologists worry that even 100,000 tests per day is far too few .
“ Ideally , you would need vastly more , because you need to track the virus , ” said Catherine Hill , former head of biostatistics and epidemiology at the Gustave Roussy cancer institute .
“ Ideally , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrive at its 700,000 figure , the government worked backwards from a predicted 1,000 to 3,000 new Covid-19 infections per day .
For every positive test , it estimated that 25 of the person ’ s contacts would need to be tested .
This would amount to a maximum of 525,000 tests per week , which the government rounded up to 700,000 .
Such an approach is insufficient to prevent the spread of the virus , Hill told FRANCE 24 .
“ If we only find people with symptoms and it takes one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then we look for their contacts and it takes another day or two to find them , most contaminations will already have taken place , ” she said .
Hill noted that those infected with Covid-19 can be contagious five days before and after they show symptoms – not to mention that some never show symptoms at all .
“ I ’ m rather worried , actually , ” she said .
Hill noted that the countries that have had the most success in containing the virus ( including South Korea , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread testing even among those who show no symptoms .
“ The right indicator , actually , is : for every 100 tests , how many are positive ?
Because that shows how wide a net you ’ ve cast.
” In Taiwan , where testing began early and reached wide , less than 1 percent tests turned up positive and only six people have died , out of a population of nearly 24 million .
In France , where testing has essentially been limited to those showing significant symptoms , a far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 26,000 have died .
The figures from Santé Publique France do show the percentage of positive tests declining steadily since late March , as the overall number of tests has ramped up and the number of infections declined during lockdown .
The latest figures available from the agency show the total number of positive laboratory tests at roughly 5 percent .
It ’ s unclear , though , whether this trend will hold once the lockdown is lifted .
Meanwhile , the government ’ s recent communications around wearing a mask “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Hill .
On this subject , too , Macron ’ s government has already faced harsh criticism .
Health officials initially advised the public that wearing a mask was not necessary if you were healthy , and that masks should be reserved for those who needed them the most : health care and other essential workers .
Several investigations , including by the news site Médiapart , have since shown that the government ’ s position was driven primarily by a shortage of masks , and that officials were scrambling to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public conflicting information .
> > Pandemic disarmament : Why France was ready for Covid-19 a decade too soon Starting on Monday , masks will be mandatory on public transport nationwide , subject to a €135 fine .
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said that the government will be supplying 10 million masks to local transport operators to distribute to passengers who don ’ t already have a mask of their own , including 4.4 million for the Paris region .
In other public places , wearing a mask is “ preferable ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has said .
A few cities , like Nice , have taken matters into their own hands and will require masks locally , and the mayors of the country ’ s largest cities have expressed interest in following suit .
As the cost of masks has surged , the government has fixed prices to a maximum of 95 cents per surgical mask , while declining to set limits on the price of cloth and other reusable masks .
In early January , surgical masks ( which are intended to be disposable ) were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some opposition members argue that the government should concentrate on distributing masks for free rather than penalising those who don ’ t have them .
“ If there is an obligation for citizens [ to wear a mask ] , there must be an obligation for the state to make this product available , ” member of parliament Danièle Obono , of the left-wing La France Insoumise ( France Unbowed ) party , told the National Assembly on Friday .
She argued that putting the financial burden on individuals to procure a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to procure masks at risk of abusive policing .
“ You are going to create a situation , in public transport notably , where there will be tensions , ” said Obono .
Heavy-handed enforcement of lockdown measures fuelled dramatic clashes between police and residents in Paris ’ s working-class banlieues ( suburbs ) in late April .
New ventilators ‘ clearly not suitable ’ for intensive care What if the planned precautions aren ’ t enough , and the lifting of lockdown brings a second wave of the epidemic ?
In March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boost capacity by cancelling “ non-urgent ” medical procedures and enlisting personnel from the least-affected regions to back up those in the regions hardest hit .
This , along with the purchase of ventilators , allowed France to increase its number of intensive care beds from 5,065 beds to nearly 14,000 at the peak of the crisis , the health ministry said .
Since then , capacity has gradually been scaled back again .
Just over 2,800 Covid-19 patients are in intensive care as of May 9 .
With tests , masks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s priority is to keep that number low so that intensive care capacity can return closer to normal while less urgent procedures resume .
“ At the same time , thanks to the massive acquisition of respirators , the government ’ s goal is to be able to increase [ intensive care capacity ] again very quickly in the event of a second wave , up to 10,000 or even 14,000 beds , ” a health ministry spokesperson said .
This plan , too , has faced obstacles .
In late March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ventilators , Air Liquide , teamed up with three other heavyweights of industry to begin rapid production of 10,000 new ventilators .
But there was a hitch .
Air Liquide said it would be impossible to produce the government ’ s requested amount ( 5,000 ) of its top-tier , T60-model ventilators within the proposed 50-day timeline .
Instead , the company agreed to make 1,500 of the T60 model and 8,500 of a less complex Osiris model .
Hospital guidelines published by the Health Ministry on April 3 and revealed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , specified that the Osiris-model ventilators were insufficient for intensive care use .
“ This is clearly not… a ventilator suitable for the treatment of complicated acute respiratory distress , ” said Philippe Meyer , an intensive care doctor at Necker hospital in Paris .
In a statement , the government said that the use of the Osiris ventilators for intensive care had been approved by four different groups of relevant medical experts , “ in case of unavailability of more powerful ventilators and as a last resort ” , adding that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order to bring capacity of top-tier ventilators to 15,000 nationwide .
Critics have also highlighted the French state ’ s longer-term disinvestment in public hospitals , which fuelled a nearly year-long strike movement by health care personnel beginning in March 2019 .
The string of controversies helps explain why much of the French public is anxious about the lifting of lockdown measures .
In one poll conducted this week , 58 percent of respondents said they did not trust the government to manage the transition successfully .
Between the isolation of lockdown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many feel caught between Scylla and Charybdis .
“ I 'm afraid to go back to Paris , ” said Eugénie , 28 , a health consultant .
She has spent the lockdown in the countryside but has to return to Paris after May 11 to complete her move .
“ I 'll feel less safe .
I find it hard to imagine the social distancing in public transport , ” she told FRANCE 24 .
Carole , 42 , a nanny in the Paris region , told AFP that she has spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , eaten by fear .
She has been without fresh groceries for two weeks .
“ It was pasta and noodles .
The most important thing was that there was milk for my daughter , ” she said .
Still , she plans to continue isolating herself after May 11 .
“ I 'm even more afraid , because there will be a lot more people on the streets , ” she explained , saying she plans to consult a psychologist to help her deal with the fear .

As France begins to lift its eight-week Covid-19 lockdown, the government is stepping up efforts to ‘protect, test and isolate’. But many still fear a second wave.
A member of the Marseille Naval Fire Battalion stands near a queue at a Covid-19 screening for municipal school employees at the University-Hospital Institute (IHU) Mediterranee Infection in Marseille, southeastern France, on May 7, 2020, ahead of the easing of lockdown measures in France.
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When French President Emmanuel Macron announced in mid-April that the country would begin lifting its Covid-19 lockdown measures on May 11, he was effectively giving his government a deadline. In order for even a partial reopening not to provoke a disastrous second wave of the epidemic, the country’s public health capacities would need to be dramatically expanded – and fast.
“Starting on May 11 we will have a new system to make this step a success,” Macron said on April 13 before a record TV audience. He promised that every French resident would get access to a “mask for the general public” (if not a FFP2 or surgical mask), that anyone presenting Covid-19 symptoms would be able to get tested, and that 10,000 new, domestically produced ventilators would be supplied to hospitals to dramatically ramp up intensive care capacity.
Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has summed up the government’s strategy succinctly: “Protect, test, isolate”.
On the eve of the partial lockdown lifting, however, many are worried that the French government has not done enough to prepare the country for a safe reopening.
700,000 tests per week?
A key premise of the government’s plans for this new phase is widespread testing. French authorities have faced severe criticism for falling short on testing in the early stages of the epidemic, even as the World Health Organization urged countries to “test, test, test”.
On Thursday, at a press conference confirming the government’s May 11 plans, Health Minister Olivier Véran said France is now “ready to test massively”, pointing to a map that showed testing capacity at 100 percent nationwide.
#Déconfinement | Situation au jeudi 7 mai
Carte du taux de couverture des besoins en tests, estimés au 11 mai :
🔴 0 - 70%
🟠 70 - 100%
🟢>100%
📲 Visualiser la carte en ligne : https://t.co/fjmKSWd4y5 pic.twitter.com/yGEyMd576X — Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé (@MinSoliSante) May 7, 2020
A spokesperson from the French health ministry told FRANCE 24 that the country has of late been carrying out between 200,000 and 270,000 Covid-19 tests per week, and that the country is pursuing a “mobilisation of all laboratories and testing sites to arrive at a capacity of 700,000 tests” per week, a number first evoked by government officials in late April.
04:48
The spokesperson confirmed that the government believes it can roughly triple its current capacity to meet the 700,000 goal as early as this coming week, with veterinarians, police and drive-through stations supplementing the efforts of private and public laboratories and hospitals. Some health experts, though, are sceptical.
“On the issue of tests, everyone is lying,” Dr. Philippe Froguel of the Lille university hospital center told France 3. He called the government’s goal “impossible”.
Moreover, epidemiologists worry that even 100,000 tests per day is far too few.
“Ideally, you would need vastly more, because you need to track the virus,” said Catherine Hill, former head of biostatistics and epidemiology at the Gustave Roussy cancer institute. “Ideally, you would need to test everyone.”
To arrive at its 700,000 figure, the government worked backwards from a predicted 1,000 to 3,000 new Covid-19 infections per day. For every positive test, it estimated that 25 of the person’s contacts would need to be tested. This would amount to a maximum of 525,000 tests per week, which the government rounded up to 700,000.
Such an approach is insufficient to prevent the spread of the virus, Hill told FRANCE 24.
“If we only find people with symptoms and it takes one or two days to find them, and then we look for their contacts and it takes another day or two to find them, most contaminations will already have taken place,” she said. Hill noted that those infected with Covid-19 can be contagious five days before and after they show symptoms – not to mention that some never show symptoms at all.
“I’m rather worried, actually,” she said.
Hill noted that the countries that have had the most success in containing the virus (including South Korea, New Zealand and Australia) have conducted widespread testing even among those who show no symptoms.
“The right indicator, actually, is: for every 100 tests, how many are positive? Because that shows how wide a net you’ve cast.”
In Taiwan, where testing began early and reached wide, less than 1 percent tests turned up positive and only six people have died, out of a population of nearly 24 million. In France, where testing has essentially been limited to those showing significant symptoms, a far larger share has been positive and more than 26,000 have died.
The figures from Santé Publique France do show the percentage of positive tests declining steadily since late March, as the overall number of tests has ramped up and the number of infections declined during lockdown. The latest figures available from the agency show the total number of positive laboratory tests at roughly 5 percent. It’s unclear, though, whether this trend will hold once the lockdown is lifted.
Masks required on public transport, ‘preferable’ elsewhere
Meanwhile, the government’s recent communications around wearing a mask “have not been very clear”, said Hill. On this subject, too, Macron’s government has already faced harsh criticism. Health officials initially advised the public that wearing a mask was not necessary if you were healthy, and that masks should be reserved for those who needed them the most: health care and other essential workers.
Several investigations, including by the news site Médiapart, have since shown that the government’s position was driven primarily by a shortage of masks, and that officials were scrambling to make up the shortage even as they gave the public conflicting information.
>> Pandemic disarmament: Why France was ready for Covid-19 a decade too soon
Starting on Monday, masks will be mandatory on public transport nationwide, subject to a €135 fine. Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said that the government will be supplying 10 million masks to local transport operators to distribute to passengers who don’t already have a mask of their own, including 4.4 million for the Paris region.
In other public places, wearing a mask is “preferable” but not required, Prime Minister Philippe has said. A few cities, like Nice, have taken matters into their own hands and will require masks locally, and the mayors of the country’s largest cities have expressed interest in following suit.
As the cost of masks has surged, the government has fixed prices to a maximum of 95 cents per surgical mask, while declining to set limits on the price of cloth and other reusable masks. In early January, surgical masks (which are intended to be disposable) were available online for just 8 cents.
Some opposition members argue that the government should concentrate on distributing masks for free rather than penalising those who don’t have them.
“If there is an obligation for citizens [to wear a mask], there must be an obligation for the state to make this product available,” member of parliament Danièle Obono, of the left-wing La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) party, told the National Assembly on Friday. She argued that putting the financial burden on individuals to procure a mask could deepen inequalities and put those unable to procure masks at risk of abusive policing.
“You are going to create a situation, in public transport notably, where there will be tensions,” said Obono.
Heavy-handed enforcement of lockdown measures fuelled dramatic clashes between police and residents in Paris’s working-class banlieues (suburbs) in late April.
New ventilators ‘clearly not suitable’ for intensive care
What if the planned precautions aren’t enough, and the lifting of lockdown brings a second wave of the epidemic?
In March and April, French hospitals rushed to boost capacity by cancelling “non-urgent” medical procedures and enlisting personnel from the least-affected regions to back up those in the regions hardest hit. This, along with the purchase of ventilators, allowed France to increase its number of intensive care beds from 5,065 beds to nearly 14,000 at the peak of the crisis, the health ministry said.
Since then, capacity has gradually been scaled back again. Just over 2,800 Covid-19 patients are in intensive care as of May 9.
With tests, masks and everyday precautions like handwashing, the government’s priority is to keep that number low so that intensive care capacity can return closer to normal while less urgent procedures resume.
“At the same time, thanks to the massive acquisition of respirators, the government’s goal is to be able to increase [intensive care capacity] again very quickly in the event of a second wave, up to 10,000 or even 14,000 beds,” a health ministry spokesperson said.
This plan, too, has faced obstacles.
In late March, France’s sole domestic producer of ventilators, Air Liquide, teamed up with three other heavyweights of industry to begin rapid production of 10,000 new ventilators. But there was a hitch. Air Liquide said it would be impossible to produce the government’s requested amount (5,000) of its top-tier, T60-model ventilators within the proposed 50-day timeline. Instead, the company agreed to make 1,500 of the T60 model and 8,500 of a less complex Osiris model.
Hospital guidelines published by the Health Ministry on April 3 and revealed by the investigative unit of Radio France, however, specified that the Osiris-model ventilators were insufficient for intensive care use.
“This is clearly not… a ventilator suitable for the treatment of complicated acute respiratory distress,” said Philippe Meyer, an intensive care doctor at Necker hospital in Paris.
In a statement, the government said that the use of the Osiris ventilators for intensive care had been approved by four different groups of relevant medical experts, “in case of unavailability of more powerful ventilators and as a last resort”, adding that additional ventilators were on the way in order to bring capacity of top-tier ventilators to 15,000 nationwide.
Critics have also highlighted the French state’s longer-term disinvestment in public hospitals, which fuelled a nearly year-long strike movement by health care personnel beginning in March 2019.
Fears of a second wave
The string of controversies helps explain why much of the French public is anxious about the lifting of lockdown measures. In one poll conducted this week, 58 percent of respondents said they did not trust the government to manage the transition successfully.
Between the isolation of lockdown and the fears of a second wave, many feel caught between Scylla and Charybdis.
“I'm afraid to go back to Paris,” said Eugénie, 28, a health consultant. She has spent the lockdown in the countryside but has to return to Paris after May 11 to complete her move. “I'll feel less safe. I find it hard to imagine the social distancing in public transport,” she told FRANCE 24.
Carole, 42, a nanny in the Paris region, told AFP that she has spent the last eight weeks secluded at home, eaten by fear. She has been without fresh groceries for two weeks.
“It was pasta and noodles. The most important thing was that there was milk for my daughter,” she said.
Still, she plans to continue isolating herself after May 11.
“I'm even more afraid, because there will be a lot more people on the streets,” she explained, saying she plans to consult a psychologist to help her deal with the fear.
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france24--2020-05-10--More than 20 killed in attacks in west of Niger

Soldiers stand guard at sunset as France 's President and Niger 's President Mahamadou Issoufou ( unseen ) take part in a military ceremony at the Martyr Quarter on December 22 , 2019 , in Niamey .
Bandits riding motorbikes killed 20 villagers in a string of attacks in Niger 's western region of Tillaberi , the governor there told AFP on Sunday .
An unknown number of `` armed bandits '' attacked three villages on Sunday at around 5:30 pm local time ( 1630 GMT ) , said governor Tidjani Ibrahim Katiella .
He said that the assailants `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as cattle before heading off towards the north .
One local source named villages targeted as Gadabo , Zibane Koira-Zeno and Zibane-Tegui , all administered by Anzourou , a commune some 50 kilometres ( 30 miles ) from Tillaberi city , the main town in western Niger and some 100 kilometres from the border with Mali .
Last January , Niger authorities restricted motorcycle traffic by day as well as night in a bid to crack down on jihadists operating in the region .
They also closed down a number of food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with fuel and cereals , '' according to the governor .
The government recently extended a state of emergency in the region first brought in in 2017 .
According to official statistics , 174 soldiers have been killed in three attacks in the zone since last December at Chinegodar , where 89 were killed on January 8 , Inates ( 71 dead on December 10 ) and Sanam ( 14 dead on December 24 . )
The Islamic State claimed all three attacks .
In March , Malian and Niger soldiers joined forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an operation which mobilised around 5,000 troops under the ongoing Operation Barkhane deployment .
French general staff credited the counter-terrorism operation with eliminating `` a large number of terrorists '' .
The French-led Operation Barkhane is leading counter-terror operations across Sahel states Burkina Faso , Chad , Mali , Mauritania and Niger .
UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres warned last week that jihadist groups in the Sahel are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to step up attacks , according to documents seen by AFP .
Guterres urged better coordination among anti-jihadist forces fighting an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to intensify their attacks and to challenge state authority throughout the sub-region , '' said Guterres , citing an area straddling Niger , Mali and Burkina Faso as a major concern .
Guterres said terror groups were exploiting the virus spread for both propaganda and action purposes .
The pandemic has seen the border between Mali and Mauritania being shut , forcing operations of the so-called G5-Sahel anti-jihadist force to be postponed .
The G5 is a 5,000-strong force with troops from Chad , Burkina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooperating with French troops to combat a growing Islamist insurgency .

Bandits riding motorbikes killed 20 villagers in a string of attacks in Niger's western region of Tillaberi, the governor there told AFP on Sunday.
Soldiers stand guard at sunset as France's President and Niger's President Mahamadou Issoufou (unseen) take part in a military ceremony at the Martyr Quarter on December 22, 2019, in Niamey.
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An unknown number of "armed bandits" attacked three villages on Sunday at around 5:30 pm local time (1630 GMT), said governor Tidjani Ibrahim Katiella.
He said that the assailants "pillaged shops" and looted cereal as well as cattle before heading off towards the north.
One local source named villages targeted as Gadabo, Zibane Koira-Zeno and Zibane-Tegui, all administered by Anzourou, a commune some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Tillaberi city, the main town in western Niger and some 100 kilometres from the border with Mali.
Last January, Niger authorities restricted motorcycle traffic by day as well as night in a bid to crack down on jihadists operating in the region.
They also closed down a number of food markets they said were "supplying terrorists with fuel and cereals," according to the governor.
The government recently extended a state of emergency in the region first brought in in 2017.
According to official statistics, 174 soldiers have been killed in three attacks in the zone since last December at Chinegodar, where 89 were killed on January 8, Inates (71 dead on December 10) and Sanam (14 dead on December 24.)
The Islamic State claimed all three attacks.
In March, Malian and Niger soldiers joined forces with French forces in the area for an operation which mobilised around 5,000 troops under the ongoing Operation Barkhane deployment.
French general staff credited the counter-terrorism operation with eliminating "a large number of terrorists".
The French-led Operation Barkhane is leading counter-terror operations across Sahel states Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger.
UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres warned last week that jihadist groups in the Sahel are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to step up attacks, according to documents seen by AFP.
Guterres urged better coordination among anti-jihadist forces fighting an array of armed groups.
"Terrorist groups are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to intensify their attacks and to challenge state authority throughout the sub-region," said Guterres, citing an area straddling Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso as a major concern.
Guterres said terror groups were exploiting the virus spread for both propaganda and action purposes.
The pandemic has seen the border between Mali and Mauritania being shut, forcing operations of the so-called G5-Sahel anti-jihadist force to be postponed.
The G5 is a 5,000-strong force with troops from Chad, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Mauritania cooperating with French troops to combat a growing Islamist insurgency.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-10--UN peacekeepers killed in Mali after patrol hits IED

Three UN troops were killed and four more wounded when their convoy hit a roadside bomb early Sunday , officials said , in the latest violence to hit the war-torn West African state .
Chadian peacekeepers were on a routine patrol in Aguelhok commune in the north of the country , the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali , known as MINUSMA , said in a statement .
Three soldiers were killed and four were seriously wounded in the blast , it added .
`` We will have to make every effort to identify and apprehend those responsible for these terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to justice , '' said MINUSMA mission head Mahamat Saleh Annadif .
`` I bow before the remains of these brave blue helmets who died in the service of peace in Mali '' .
The UN mission has some 13,000 troops drawn from several nations deployed across the vast semi-arid country .
Mali is struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in 2012 and which has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since .
Despite the presence of thousands of French and UN troops , the conflict has engulfed the centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burkina Faso and Niger .
Laying roadside bombs is a favoured tactic of jihadists active in the Sahel .
Also known as improvised explosive devices , they kill and maim scores of victims every year in Mali .

Three UN troops were killed and four more wounded when their convoy hit a roadside bomb early Sunday, officials said, in the latest violence to hit the war-torn West African state.
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Chadian peacekeepers were on a routine patrol in Aguelhok commune in the north of the country, the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, said in a statement.
Three soldiers were killed and four were seriously wounded in the blast, it added.
"We will have to make every effort to identify and apprehend those responsible for these terrorist acts so that they can be brought to justice," said MINUSMA mission head Mahamat Saleh Annadif.
"I bow before the remains of these brave blue helmets who died in the service of peace in Mali".
The UN mission has some 13,000 troops drawn from several nations deployed across the vast semi-arid country.
Mali is struggling to contain an Islamist insurgency that erupted in 2012 and which has claimed thousands of military and civilian lives since.
Despite the presence of thousands of French and UN troops, the conflict has engulfed the centre of the country and spread to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.
Laying roadside bombs is a favoured tactic of jihadists active in the Sahel.
Also known as improvised explosive devices, they kill and maim scores of victims every year in Mali.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-10--Covid-19: A day before lockdown measures to ease, France sees its lowest death toll since they began

A bartender ( C ) selling take-away drinks and food and wearing a face mask waits for customers behind a makeshift counter lining the sidewalk in Paris on May 9 , 2020 France on Sunday reported 70 more deaths from the coronavirus , its lowest daily toll in recent weeks just ahead of the first easing of an almost two-month lockdown .
The new deaths brought the total toll in hospitals and nursing homes from the pandemic in France to 26,380 , the health ministry said .
It was the lowest daily toll announced since March 17 , the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had also seen a record low toll of 80 deaths .
France will on Monday emerge from its lockdown , although many restrictions will remain in place nationwide .
`` Our efforts during the lockdown worked and saved thousands of lives , '' said the health ministry .
`` They need to succeed so that this new phase succeeds , '' it added , warning that the epidemic is still `` active and evolving '' .
There has been a steady downward trend in France 's key coronavirus figures in recent days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed and the risk of a second wave remains .
Continuing recent trends , there were 36 fewer coronavirus patients in total in intensive care for a total of 2,776 and 45 less in hospital for a total of 22,569 people .
The government has divided France into green and red areas for Monday 's easing of the lockdown , with Paris and three other regions classified as red seeing a more limited relaxation .
The main differences for the French this week will be schools reopening and people no longer having to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to justify trips outside .
However such certificates will still be needed for trips of over 100 kilometres ( 60 miles ) from home .
More rigorous measures are still being kept in Paris due to the active circulation of the virus , with parks and large shopping centres to remain closed .
In a special measure for the French capital to ensure public transport is not overcrowded , commuters will have to carry a certificate from their employer if they travel during peak hours in the morning and evening .
Wearing masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and state railway operator SNCF is readying for passengers to return to its stations with a myriad of circles and arrows being placed on the ground of concourses to ensure people observe social distancing .

France on Sunday reported 70 more deaths from the coronavirus, its lowest daily toll in recent weeks just ahead of the first easing of an almost two-month lockdown.
A bartender (C) selling take-away drinks and food and wearing a face mask waits for customers behind a makeshift counter lining the sidewalk in Paris on May 9, 2020
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The new deaths brought the total toll in hospitals and nursing homes from the pandemic in France to 26,380, the health ministry said.
It was the lowest daily toll announced since March 17, the day the lockdown in France began. Saturday had also seen a record low toll of 80 deaths.
France will on Monday emerge from its lockdown, although many restrictions will remain in place nationwide.
"Our efforts during the lockdown worked and saved thousands of lives," said the health ministry.
"They need to succeed so that this new phase succeeds," it added, warning that the epidemic is still "active and evolving".
There has been a steady downward trend in France's key coronavirus figures in recent days, although officials warn that caution is still needed and the risk of a second wave remains.
Continuing recent trends, there were 36 fewer coronavirus patients in total in intensive care for a total of 2,776 and 45 less in hospital for a total of 22,569 people.
The government has divided France into green and red areas for Monday's easing of the lockdown, with Paris and three other regions classified as red seeing a more limited relaxation.
The main differences for the French this week will be schools reopening and people no longer having to write or download certificates to show police to justify trips outside.
However such certificates will still be needed for trips of over 100 kilometres (60 miles) from home.
More rigorous measures are still being kept in Paris due to the active circulation of the virus, with parks and large shopping centres to remain closed.
In a special measure for the French capital to ensure public transport is not overcrowded, commuters will have to carry a certificate from their employer if they travel during peak hours in the morning and evening.
Wearing masks is to be obligatory on public transport and state railway operator SNCF is readying for passengers to return to its stations with a myriad of circles and arrows being placed on the ground of concourses to ensure people observe social distancing.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-05-10--Covid-19: Europe begins easing lockdown measures

A man wearing a face mask fishes as Italy begins to ease some of the restrictions of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) lockdown , in Castiglione della Pescaia , Italy May 9 , 2020 .
Tentatively , parts of Europe are emerging from lockdown , with France and Belgium joining the list of countries easing measures on Monday , amid fears of a second coronavirus wave .
Here is an overview : Hair salons , clothes shops , florists and bookshops will open again Monday .
Bars , restaurants , theatres and cinemas remain closed .
Primary schools will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on space .
Masks will be obligatory on public transport .
Everyone will be able to move outside without having to present a form on demand but people will only be able to go 100 kilometres ( 60 miles ) from their place of residence .
`` I 've been scared to death '' about the reopening , said one bookshop manager from Lyon .
`` It 's a big responsibility to have to protect my staff and my customers . ''
Most businesses will open Monday , with social distancing .
Masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars remain closed .
In central Brussels there will be speed limits on cars and priority will be given to cyclists and pedestrians .
Primary schools will partially reopen Monday .
Driving schools , hair salons , physiotherapists and libraries also return , with social distancing measures .
Primary and middle schools will reopen Monday , with classes often reduced in size .
Restaurants , museums and bookshops will also open , with conditions .
Meetings of more than five people remain banned .
Half of Spain 's some 47 million people will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends in gatherings of up to 10 as of Monday .
Outdoor spaces at bars and restaurants can reopen with limited capacity .
Hardest-hit Madrid and Barcelona are excluded from the easing , though football clubs FC Barcelona resumed training on Friday and Real Madrid will follow Monday .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on Spaniards to show `` the greatest precaution and prudence '' because `` the virus has not gone away , it is still there '' .
Only movements within provinces are authorised and cinemas and theatres remain closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until September .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the nation on Sunday evening to set out a `` roadmap '' for relaxing social distancing rules .
`` We have to be realistic that there is n't going to be any dramatic overnight change , '' Environment Secretary George Eustice said .
While schools remain closed until September , factories , building sites and offices reopened on May 4 .
Social distancing rules are in place in parks .
Wearing masks is mandatory on public transport .
All retail businesses will reopen on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural sites , churches and libraries .
Bars and restaurants will reopen from June 1 , along with hair and beauty salons .
The first phase of lifting lockdown has also sparked fresh concerns .
In Milan , photographs published in newspapers of people sitting along canals enjoying aperitifs in the sunshine , many not wearing masks or respecting social distancing rules , prompted the city 's Mayor Giuseppe Sala to slam the behaviour as `` shameful '' .
Virologist Massimo Galli also warned the city was a virus time `` bomb '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free to move around .
Eating at the restaurant is now possible in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania , where the country 's first cafes and restaurants reopened on Saturday .
Under Germany 's federal system , each of the 16 states makes its own decisions on how to emerge from lockdown and cafes and restaurants will reopen in a number of other states in the coming days and weeks .
Most shops are already open and children are slowly returning to classrooms .
Bundesliga football matches are also set to resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , German authorities have agreed to reimpose restrictions locally if an area has more than 50 new infections per 100,000 residents over a week .
Hairdressers , tennis courts and golf courses reopened in the first weekend in May .
Travel restrictions have been lifted and gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed , with social distancing .
Masks are compulsory in public transport and shops .
Final-year school students returned to class on May 4 ahead of a gradual return for others .
Hotels can reopen on Monday but foreign tourists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shopping centres reopen in Denmark on Monday .
Primary schools opened in mid-April and secondary schools will open on May 18 .
In Norway , where schools opened for pupils aged 6-10 at the end of April , all classes will start again Monday .
Bars and leisure centres remain closed until June 1 .
In Iceland , universities , museums and hair salons reopened on May 4 .
In Finland , schools will start up again on May 14 , with social distancing measures .
In Croatia , outdoor spaces at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of up to 10 people will be allowed .
Kindergartens and schools will resume on a voluntary basis .
In Serbia , nursery schools welcome children from Monday .
Many Greeks took advantage of their first weekend of regained freedom to sunbathe on the beaches near Athens .
After bookshops and hairdressers reopened May 4 , it is the turn of all shops on Monday .
The Acropolis and all archeological sites will reopen May 18 .
Museums reopen on June 15 .

Tentatively, parts of Europe are emerging from lockdown, with France and Belgium joining the list of countries easing measures on Monday, amid fears of a second coronavirus wave.
A man wearing a face mask fishes as Italy begins to ease some of the restrictions of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown, in Castiglione della Pescaia, Italy May 9, 2020.
Advertising Read more
Here is an overview:
France
Hair salons, clothes shops, florists and bookshops will open again Monday. Bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas remain closed. Primary schools will take small numbers of pupils, depending on space. Masks will be obligatory on public transport.
Everyone will be able to move outside without having to present a form on demand but people will only be able to go 100 kilometres (60 miles) from their place of residence.
The easing has brought mixed reactions.
"I've been scared to death" about the reopening, said one bookshop manager from Lyon. "It's a big responsibility to have to protect my staff and my customers."
Belgium
Most businesses will open Monday, with social distancing. Masks are recommended. Cafes, restaurants and bars remain closed.
In central Brussels there will be speed limits on cars and priority will be given to cyclists and pedestrians.
Schools remain closed until May 18.
The Netherlands
Primary schools will partially reopen Monday. Driving schools, hair salons, physiotherapists and libraries also return, with social distancing measures.
Switzerland
Primary and middle schools will reopen Monday, with classes often reduced in size. Restaurants, museums and bookshops will also open, with conditions. Meetings of more than five people remain banned.
Spain
Half of Spain's some 47 million people will be able to meet with family or friends in gatherings of up to 10 as of Monday. Outdoor spaces at bars and restaurants can reopen with limited capacity.
Hardest-hit Madrid and Barcelona are excluded from the easing, though football clubs FC Barcelona resumed training on Friday and Real Madrid will follow Monday.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on Spaniards to show "the greatest precaution and prudence" because "the virus has not gone away, it is still there".
Only movements within provinces are authorised and cinemas and theatres remain closed.
Schools will not start up again until September.
Britain
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will address the nation on Sunday evening to set out a "roadmap" for relaxing social distancing rules.
"We have to be realistic that there isn't going to be any dramatic overnight change," Environment Secretary George Eustice said.
Italy
While schools remain closed until September, factories, building sites and offices reopened on May 4.
Social distancing rules are in place in parks. Wearing masks is mandatory on public transport.
All retail businesses will reopen on May 18, as will museums, cultural sites, churches and libraries.
Bars and restaurants will reopen from June 1, along with hair and beauty salons.
The first phase of lifting lockdown has also sparked fresh concerns.
In Milan, photographs published in newspapers of people sitting along canals enjoying aperitifs in the sunshine, many not wearing masks or respecting social distancing rules, prompted the city's Mayor Giuseppe Sala to slam the behaviour as "shameful".
Virologist Massimo Galli also warned the city was a virus time "bomb" at risk of erupting with residents now free to move around.
Germany
Eating at the restaurant is now possible in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the country's first cafes and restaurants reopened on Saturday.
Under Germany's federal system, each of the 16 states makes its own decisions on how to emerge from lockdown and cafes and restaurants will reopen in a number of other states in the coming days and weeks.
Most shops are already open and children are slowly returning to classrooms. Bundesliga football matches are also set to resume.
Heeding signs of a second wave, German authorities have agreed to reimpose restrictions locally if an area has more than 50 new infections per 100,000 residents over a week.
Austria
Hairdressers, tennis courts and golf courses reopened in the first weekend in May. Travel restrictions have been lifted and gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed, with social distancing. Masks are compulsory in public transport and shops.
Final-year school students returned to class on May 4 ahead of a gradual return for others.
Poland
Hotels can reopen on Monday but foreign tourists must quarantine for two weeks on arrival.
Nordic countries
Shopping centres reopen in Denmark on Monday. Primary schools opened in mid-April and secondary schools will open on May 18.
In Norway, where schools opened for pupils aged 6-10 at the end of April, all classes will start again Monday. Bars and leisure centres remain closed until June 1.
In Iceland, universities, museums and hair salons reopened on May 4.
In Finland, schools will start up again on May 14, with social distancing measures.
Balkans
In Croatia, outdoor spaces at bars and restaurants reopen Monday and gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed. Kindergartens and schools will resume on a voluntary basis.
In Serbia, nursery schools welcome children from Monday.
Greece
Many Greeks took advantage of their first weekend of regained freedom to sunbathe on the beaches near Athens.
After bookshops and hairdressers reopened May 4, it is the turn of all shops on Monday.
Shopping centres remain closed until June 1.
The Acropolis and all archeological sites will reopen May 18. Museums reopen on June 15.
(AFP)
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