US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the world should unite to eliminate the Corona pandemic, and stressed that achieving the step requires American leadership, while the world's measures range from easing measures to tightening them.
Blinken added that his country will work with its international partners to manufacture enough vaccines for everyone, everywhere.
He stressed that Washington cannot overcome the pandemic in the United States before it defeats it in the rest of the world.
Blinken announced the appointment of Jill Smith, a coordinator for the global response to the Corona pandemic, noting that addressing the pandemic is the first priority for President Joe Biden's administration.
London reopens shops
In the same context, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said today, Monday, that the planned reopening of the economy will take place next week with the opening of all stores, gyms, hairdressing places and outside hospitality in England.
With the vaccination program being launched at a rapid pace across the UK and the number of infections dropping, Johnson said England will move to the second phase according to his roadmap to stop lockdown measures from April 12.
But he refused to announce a date for the resumption of the banned trips abroad until May 17, except in necessary cases.
To keep the virus under control, the government is considering increasing the number of checks and raising it to two checks per week for the entire population, and it also plans to test a health certificate or passport system to participate in mass gatherings in England such as football matches and indoor events.
Museums reopening in Portugal
Portugal also cautiously eased restrictions Monday, as it allowed museums and cafe docks to reopen more than two months after they were closed, in the second phase of the gradual end of the closure.
The number of people gathered around each table will be limited to 4 people, while the ban on collective sport in halls will continue, and museums will adjust their working hours.
Preparatory schools resumed activity after classes resumed in elementary schools on March 15.
For its part, Greece allowed the reopening of most commercial spaces on Monday, with the exception of large spaces and commercial centers, despite the continuous recording of disturbing epidemiological data.
Those wishing to visit commercial places must book an appointment, provided that the number of those present in them does not exceed 20 persons at the same time.
Tightening restrictions
In return for the easing measures, the restrictions imposed in 19 French provinces, including all the country's territory, with the closure of non-main stores and the restriction of movement within a distance not exceeding 10 kilometers, while schools remain closed for the first time since Spring 2020 for a period of 3 to 4 weeks.
In India, the Indian state of Mumbai, most affected by the Corona virus, in India, approved new measures at a time when the country for the first time recorded more than 100 thousand new cases of the virus within 24 hours.
On Sunday, the local authorities imposed new restrictions, including introducing a curfew until seven in the evening, imposing a closure at the end of the week, closing bars, restaurants, cinemas, places of worship and private offices, and preventing all gatherings of more than 4 people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to avoid imposing a new national lockdown, after the March 2020 lockdown has left tragic effects on the poorest people.
The authorities of the capital, New Delhi, have ruled out re-imposing a lockdown, despite the high number of injuries, but the police have received directions to impose a fine on those who do not comply with wearing the muzzle.
On Monday, neighboring Bangladesh began a 7-day lockdown to curb the spread of the virus, with the suspension of all internal travel and the closure of commercial places.
Thousands of people left the capital Dhaka on Sunday, or bought loads of food before the lockdown.
For its part, the International Monetary Fund announced on Monday the extension of urgent aid to 28 of the world's poorest countries, in order to allow them to reduce their debts and deal better with the impact of the "Covid-19" pandemic.
Chile closes its borders from Monday for the whole of April.
New restrictions took effect in Ukraine as well, and the Kiev municipality announced the suspension of most public transportation, and the closure of primary schools and nurseries.