Paris (AFP)

Tens of millions of people in France and Spain partially regain their freedom of movement on Monday with the lifting of numerous restrictions introduced to fight the coronavirus pandemic.

The United Kingdom, on the other hand, will prolong the confinement of its citizens at least until June 1, while the fear of a rebound of the pandemic is maintained by the appearance of new outbreaks, as in Seoul.

But with a total toll of more than 26,000 dead, one of the heaviest in the world, the main officials called for caution, as millions of French people will leave their homes and resume work to revive a national economy almost stopped for two months.

"Thanks to you, the virus has receded. But it is still there. SAVE LIVES REMAIN CAREFUL," tweeted President Emmanuel Macron.

- Mandatory masks -

Obligatory masks in public transport, restrictive health framework in schools, the lifting of confinement is accompanied by strict control measures.

And the appearance of three new sources of contamination in the west reinforces the fear of a new epidemic wave.

In Spain, in order to limit the risks of spread, only part of the country is deconfigured from Monday. Several large cities, such as Madrid and Barcelona, ​​remain subject to severe restrictions.

In the past 24 hours, Spain, also one of the most affected countries with more than 26,000 deaths, has recorded 143 deaths from Covid-19, its lowest daily toll since March 18.

The Spanish Football League (LaLiga) reported eight positive coronavirus cases on Sunday, but president Javier Tebas hopes to return to the championship on June 12.

While European football is getting back into working order after several months of forced cessation, the screening tests reveal cases in different championships, without jeopardizing the recovery.

The United Kingdom, with nearly 32,000 dead, has the heaviest death toll after the United States, and the situation remains worrying. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced Sunday the extension until March 1 of the confinement decreed on March 23.

Mr. Johnson presented a plan for gradual deconfinement, with the hope of gradually reopening stores and elementary schools in early June.

In addition, the British government plans to introduce a mandatory quarantine period soon for travelers arriving in the UK by air.

- Fear of a second wave -

Since its appearance in China in December, the disease has killed more than 280,000 people worldwide, according to a report established by AFP from official sources Sunday at 19:00 GMT.

And the risk of a second epidemic wave, mentioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), obsesses governments, especially as worrying signs appear.

In Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus had started to strike, authorities announced a new case on Sunday after more than a month's respite.

In South Korea, where the epidemic had also been brought under control, the capital Seoul ordered closings of establishments after new cases of Covid-19.

And in Germany, often cited as an example for the efficiency of its crisis management, the critical threshold of 50 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants has been crossed in three cantons.

The United States has the heaviest toll, with nearly 80,000 dead according to the count published Sunday evening by Johns Hopkins University, which refers. However, the daily toll is 776 deaths, the lowest figure since March.

President Donald Trump's economic advisers defended the possibility of restarting the U.S. economy safely on Sunday, despite the continuing epidemic - and also contaminations within the White House.

In recent days, two employees of the West Wing where the Oval Office is located - a member of the military serving the President and the spokesperson for Vice-President Mike Pence - have tested positive for the virus.

The White House, however, denied reports Sunday that Mike Pence was in quarantine.

Latin America and the Caribbean are one of the regions most affected by the pandemic. The Covid-19 killed more than 20,000 people there, according to the report established by AFP. Brazil, which passed the 10,000 dead mark on Saturday, accounts for more than half of this regional assessment.

South Africa, the most affected country in sub-Saharan Africa, has passed the mark of 10,000 confirmed cases, including 194 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health.

- Beginning of deconfinement in India -

India has started its deconfinement process, but still prohibits movement between states, as well as national and international flights.

It had nearly 63,000 cases and more than 2,100 deaths on Sunday, and the epidemic is far from being contained. According to epidemiologists, it should only accelerate by a peak expected in June or July.

However, the authorities are easing restrictions on transport. India's rail network, one of the largest in the world, is expected to gradually resume traffic from Tuesday.

burs-plh / ybl

© 2020 AFP