Football Returns, Beaches Reopen As Europe Eases COVID-19 Lockdown

Beaches in France and Italy opened on Saturday for the first weekend since the countries eased coronavirus lockdowns, while football fans awaited the return of major league action with Germany’s Bundesliga set to kick off.

The reopenings are a major sign of returning normality for countries hit hard by the pandemic, which has killed more than 307,000 people, infected over 4.5 million, wrought vast economic havoc and brought life to a halt.

But as countries lift restrictions to boost their stagnant economies, there have been widespread fears of a second wave of infections that could plunge the world back into lockdown.

READ ALSO: NCDC Announce 176 New Cases Of COVID-19, Total Now 5,621

Such fears have delayed the return of team sport where it is almost impossible for players to practise social distancing measures and all eyes will be on Saturday’s Bundesliga matches.

The games will be held without spectators and players will have to follow strict hygiene guidelines former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou was suspended by Hertha Berlin just for shaking hands with team-mates.

“The whole world will be looking at Germany, to see how we get it done,” said Hansi Flick, the boss of league-leaders Bayern Munich.

“If we manage to ensure that the season continues, it will send a signal to all leagues.”

Russia has announced its own football league will return next month and pushed ahead with plans to lift restrictions despite recording its highest daily death toll on Saturday, with 119 fatalities.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday the country would extend its state of emergency for “about a month”, until the transition out of lockdown is completed.

In France, the first weekend after the most strict measures were lifted saw many venture out into the spring sunshine.

“I really missed nature,” 55-year-old doctor Lise Balmes said of walking through a forest outside Paris.