May 18, 2020 TnH Global

World Takes Calculated Risks, Initiates Gradual Reopening

Even as the Coronavirus continues to affect people across the world, many affected countries have taken steps to reopen their economies and borders, although partially.

Italy, the first European Country to clamp nationwide shutdown in February, has announced that travel to and from Italy, and between the country’s regions would be allowed from 3 June. The announcement to this effect was made by the Country’s PM Giuseppe Conte, who remarked that Italy is taking a ‘calculated risk’ by further easing restrictions, adding that the contagion curve could rise again, but the country could not afford to wait for a vaccine.

With the easing of restrictions, travellers from EU countries will be able to enter Italy without going into a two-week quarantine. Italy has been under stringent lockdown for more than two months. About 32,000 people died so far in Italy due to the virus. This is the third-highest death figure due to corona. Two countries, which have surpassed Italy in terms of corona related deaths are the US and UK. Italy’s infection rate has fallen sharply in recent days.

Australia, Germany, Switzerland and some other countries are also gradually easing restrictions on their international borders.

Back home, even as the Corona continues to rage on across the country, India has extended its nationwide lockdown till May 31st under revised guidelines and many relaxations. The lockdown 4.0 will be less stringent than previous ones. By easing many restrictions in place since March 24th, the day first phase of the nation-wide lockdown was announced, which was extended twice earlier.

Some states have also extended their lockdown on their own, however, they have eased some restrictions in order to resume economic activities.

The railway is running special trains for migrant workers. On certain routes, the railway is also operating limited trains on select routes for the general public, subject to many conditions.

However, air travel, both domestic as well as international, is still under suspension and there is no clarity when it will resume. Commercial and hospitality establishments like hotels, restaurants, pubs and malls remain shut; destinations remained closed.

In the UK, Holiday parks and tourist attractions are getting ready to reopen for the summer under the new rules including social distancing. However, given the situation, Britons have given up hopes of going for foreign holidays during this summer.