Spain, Austria allow partial return to normal from coronavirus lockdowns | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Tuesday
June 17, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025
Spain, Austria allow partial return to normal from coronavirus lockdowns

Coronavirus chronicle

Reuters
14 April, 2020, 04:35 pm
Last modified: 14 April, 2020, 04:37 pm

Related News

  • At least 9 killed in Austrian school shooting
  • Spain cancels contract for anti-tank missiles built by Israeli subsidiary
  • Restrictions lifted after 160,000 Spaniards confined due to toxic cloud
  • Spain, Portugal switch back on, seek answers after biggest ever blackout
  • Power outage hits large parts of Spain, Portugal

Spain, Austria allow partial return to normal from coronavirus lockdowns

The European Commission has repeatedly called for a common EU approach to fighting the disease, but the 27 members have differed in the timing and scope of their measures

Reuters
14 April, 2020, 04:35 pm
Last modified: 14 April, 2020, 04:37 pm
People keep social distance as they wait to enter a supermarket amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Madrid, Spain April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Perez
People keep social distance as they wait to enter a supermarket amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Madrid, Spain April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

Spain and Austria allowed partial returns to work after the Easter holiday on Tuesday but Britain, France and India extended their lockdowns to try to rein in the coronavirus outbreak, the most serious world pandemic in a century.

Nearly 2 million people globally have been infected and more than 119,200 have died, according to a Reuters tally of official figures. The epicentre has moved from China, where the virus first emerged in December, to the United States which now has the highest death toll at 23,568.

World leaders, in considering easing curbs on movement, have to balance the risks to health and the economy, as the lockdowns strangled supply lines, especially in China, and brought economic activity to a virtual halt.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The European Commission has repeatedly called for a common EU approach to fighting the disease, but the 27 members have differed in the timing and scope of their measures.

In Spain, restrictions have helped to slow a spiralling death rate that reached its peak in early April.

The overnight death toll from the coronavirus rose to 567 on Tuesday from 517 a day earlier but the country reported its lowest increase in new cases since March 18. Total deaths climbed to 18,056.

But some Spanish workers expressed concern that the relaxation of restrictions could trigger a new surge.

"I would have preferred to wait 15 more days confined to home or at least one more week and then come back," said Carlos Mogorron, a 27-year-old engineer from Extremadura in western Spain.

Some activities, including construction and manufacturing, were allowed to restart, but Health Minister Salvador Illa said that Spain remained in lockdown. Shops, bars and public spaces are to stay closed until at least April 26.

Italy, which has the world's second highest death toll of 20,465, remained under tight lockdown.

Thousands of shops across Austria were reopening on Tuesday, but the government said it was "not out of the woods" yet.

Austria acted early in its outbreak to close schools, bars, theatres, restaurants, non-essential shops and other gathering places about four weeks ago. It has told the public to stay home and work from there if possible.

Austria has reported 368 deaths in total, fewer than some larger European countries have been suffering each day. The daily increase in confirmed cases is in low single digits in percentage terms and hospitalisations have stabilised.

TRUMP 'CALLS THE SHOTS'

Britain, where the government has come under criticism for its slow approach to testing and for not getting protective equipment to the frontlines, has the fifth-highest death toll globally and a senior adviser to the government has said the country risks becoming the worst-hit in Europe.

The death toll in British hospitals rose to 11,329 on Monday and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said there would be no easing of lockdown measures when they come up for review this week. The Times newspaper said on Tuesday he would extend them until at least May 7.

The government has had to defend its response to the outbreak amid questions about whether Johnson, who fell ill with the virus and was briefly in intensive care, was too slow to

impose a lockdown.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday extended a virtual lockdown to May 11. He said the tense situation in hospitals in Paris and eastern France meant there could be no let-up in the country.

India, the world's second-most populous country after China, extended its nationwide lockdown until May 3 as the number of coronavirus cases crossed 10,000.

US President Donald Trump, who at first downplayed the seriousness of the disease and then predicted a return to work after Easter, defended his response to the coronavirus on Monday.

He said he did not intend to fire the leading US health expert, who said that earlier intervention could have saved more lives.

Ten US governors on the east and west coasts banded together on Monday in two regional pacts to coordinate gradual economic reopenings as the coronavirus crisis finally appeared to be ebbing.

At a contentious briefing with reporters, Trump lashed out at media coverage and said he had the ultimate authority to re-open the largely shuttered economy.

"The president of the United States calls the shots," Trump said.

Health ministers from the Group of 20 major economies will speak by video conference on April 19 to address the impact of the outbreak, the Saudi G20 secretariat said on Monday.

Spain / Austria

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a joint press conference with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem, February 16, 2025. Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
    Killing Khamenei will end conflict: Netanyahu
  • Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade
    Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade
  • Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr
    Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr

MOST VIEWED

  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    Merger of 5 Islamic banks at final stage: BB governor
  • UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
    UCB launches Bangladesh's first microservices-based open API banking platform
  • Photo: Collected
    Pakistan rejects reports of missile supply to Iran
  • Infographic: TBS
    Non-performing loans surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed
  • BSEC seeks roadmap from 60 firms on Tk30cr capital compliance
    BSEC seeks roadmap from 60 firms on Tk30cr capital compliance
  • Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. Photo: Collected
    ACC launches inquiry against ex-Bangladesh envoy Saida Muna, husband over laundering Tk2,000cr

Related News

  • At least 9 killed in Austrian school shooting
  • Spain cancels contract for anti-tank missiles built by Israeli subsidiary
  • Restrictions lifted after 160,000 Spaniards confined due to toxic cloud
  • Spain, Portugal switch back on, seek answers after biggest ever blackout
  • Power outage hits large parts of Spain, Portugal

Features

The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

13h | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

1d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

3d | Mode
Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

5d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

Phulbari, Banglabandha Borders Closed Due to Protests by Indian Truck Workers

2h | TBS World
Why is China's economy not booming?

Why is China's economy not booming?

2h | Others
An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

An additional 36 countries may be added to the travel restrictions imposed by the United States.

5h | TBS World
NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

NPLs surge by Tk74,570cr in Q1 as hidden rot exposed

5h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net