MOSCOW: Countries across Europe took bolder steps in easing coronavirus lockdowns, with schools, pubs, parks and pools reopening in places, while in Latin America the outbreak grew dire with infections passing the one million mark.

The deadly disease has now killed more than 372,000 people and infected at least 6.1 million since emerging in China late last year.

It has ravaged economies and threatens to tip the world toward a recession not seen in decades, while hemming billions of people in across the globe under lockdowns to slow its deadly march.

But from Russia to France, Italy and Britain, countries have started to emerge from months-long lockdowns, cautiously returning to a new post-pandemic version of normal.

Covid-19 has claimed more than 372,000 lives and infected 6.1 million people across the globe

Bars were set to serve again in Finland and Norway -- albeit with distancing restrictions or shortened hours -- while some schools in Britain and Greece opened doors again on Monday.

But the decision to allow schools to partially reopen in Britain drew scorn from some accusing the government of moving too fast. “Covid-19 spreading too fast to lift lockdown in England,” scientific advisor Jeremy Farrar said on Twitter.

Britain has the second highest death toll in the world after the US, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under fire for bungling the response to the outbreak early on.

Leaders in Russia too faced backlash for easing restrictions in the capital Moscow, the epicentre of the outbreak that has been under lockdown for months.

Shopping malls and parks reopened on Monday, despite the still-high number of cases that officials chalked down to large-scale testing -- not a signing of a ballooning outbreak.

There was cautious hope among some shopkeepers eager to see business pick up again.

“We opened two hours ago but we already have a few clients. I’m pretty optimistic, I think people will come back little by little,” Olga told AFP at her shop selling handbags and jewelry in central Moscow.

Elsewhere in Europe even bolder steps were taken. Greece opened some hotels, schools, pools and tattoo parlours, while in Slovenia a mandatory rule to wear masks was eased as the country declared the end of the outbreak. Rome’s famed Colosseum opened to visitors — Italian nationals only — for the first time since March, drawing sparse crowds.

“We took advantage of the fact that foreign tourists aren’t here yet,” said Pierluigi, adding that it was his first visit to the massive amphitheatre.

And in France, parks in Paris opened for the first time in months, ahead of restaurants, cafes and bars being allowed to serve on sidewalks and terraces in the city on Tuesday.

The pandemic has devastated the global economy, which is facing its worst downturn since the Great Depression, and with businesses and citizens growing tired of confinement, there is pressure on many leaders to press on with reopening — especially in nations where outbreaks appear to be slowing.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2020