Coronavirus: Austria reopens some shops as lockdown eased


Austria is to reopen thousands of shops on Tuesday as it seeks to ease restrictions brought in to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

Garden centres, DIY stores and small shops will open as part of a step-by-step plan to restart the economy.

However, strict social distancing rules remain in place, with people urged to stay at home as much as possible.

Austria has even made it compulsory for people to wear a mask in supermarkets and pharmacies.

Some other countries have also eased restrictions imposed over the pandemic.

Spain has allowed some businesses to return to work, and Denmark is reopening schools for younger children. Poland has said it will gradually lift restrictions on its economy from Sunday, probably starting with shops.

And Italy – Europe’s hardest-hit country, with more than 20,000 deaths – will allow a narrow range of firms to resume operations on Tuesday.