Amid signs of coronavirus spread slowing, European nations prepare easing restrictions

After weeks of lockdown put in place to contain the spread of coronavirus, many countries in Europe started preparing to lift restrictions after a consistent drop in the number of cases and fatalities.

Italy, which has witnessed most deaths from coronavirus after the United States, will ease lockdown restrictions from Monday, where people would be allowed to stroll in parks and visit relatives. Takeaway services would be allowed in restaurants.

Germany will continue to provide the relaxations at the start of the week, with schools in some places likely to reopen and France has said it will partially ease lockdown measures on May 11.

In Hungary, some stores and museums, restaurants and hotels, beaches and baths can reopen from Monday, but restrictions will continue in the capital Budapest, which has reported nearly 70 percent of the country's total cases.

In Spain, which has also been badly affected by the virus and witnessed one of the harshest lockdowns in the continent, there was joy and relief as the government allowed people to exercise and walk freely after seven weeks.

Over 242,000 people have lost their lives in coronavirus and with 3.4 million infected worldwide by the virus, half of humanity is under some form of lockdown.

However, since many health experts still warn of another wave of the virus, measures of social distancing, the use of masks, and more testing are encouraged in these European countries.