Spain reopened some of its beaches for sunbathing on Monday, and restaurants and bars in Madrid and Barcelona served clients at outdoor seating as the country started relaxing its virus lockdown.

The two cities are the hardest hit areas by the pandemic in Spain, accounting for over 15,00 of the nation's 28,752 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. Travel between provinces will remain prohibited until late June and international tourists won't be allowed until July. Spain reported an eighth straight day with fewer than 100 confirmed deaths on Sunday, when health authorities said 70 people had died in the past 24 hours. In early March more than 900 Spaniards died a day.