Millions return to work in Italy

Updated On: 05 May, 2020 07:55 AM IST | Rome | Agencies

Italy, the first European country to be hit by the pandemic and a nation with one of the world's highest death tolls, starts stirring on Monday; developing a vaccine will be the key to returning to less restricted everyday life

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Italians are free to stroll and visit relatives for the first time in nine weeks, on Monday. Pic/AFP

Millions of people were allowed to return to work in Italy Monday as Europe's longest lockdown started to ease, while countries from Iceland to India took a patchwork of steps to loosen Coronavirus restrictions. Businesses including hairdressers in Greece and restaurants in Lebanon were opening their doors under new conditions.

With pressure growing in many countries for more measures to restart the economy, politicians also were trying to boost funding for research into a vaccine for COVID-19. There are hopes that one could be available in months, but warnings that it could take much longer.