US and Europe Return to Normal Life from 'COVID-19'... Is May Okay?

Italy, Recent Slowdown in Deaths... Factories to Resume from April 4

U.S. New York State, Hardest Hit

Economic Reopening Indicated from Next Month

Some Voices Concerned About Second Wave

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jaehee] May is expected to be a turning point in the global spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Following New York State, which suffered the worst epidemic damage in the U.S., indicating economic reopening from next month, Europe, which had been locked down, is also set to return to normal life next month.

According to major foreign media on the 26th (local time), the Italian government decided to resume operations of most companies and factories from April 4 as the COVID-19 situation has clearly stabilized recently. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said, "We can no longer maintain the lockdown," adding, "Continuing the lockdown will cause serious damage to the national economy, which will be difficult to reverse." This announcement by the Italian government comes as the number of COVID-19 deaths is showing a slowing trend. On that day, Italy's COVID-19 death toll was recorded at 260. It is the first time in six weeks since March 14 (175 deaths) that Italy's daily death toll has fallen below 300.

Italian manufacturing and construction companies will be able to resume work from then, and two weeks later, retail businesses will be allowed to operate. Public places such as parks will also be accessible, and small funerals with fewer than 15 people will be permitted. However, inter-regional travel remains prohibited. Schools are scheduled to remain closed until the new semester begins in September, so childcare difficulties are expected to continue.

Spain, which has the second highest COVID-19 death toll after Italy, is also considering easing lockdown measures. As the daily death toll dropped to the lowest in five weeks, specific plans are expected to be announced on the 28th. Spain's daily COVID-19 death toll was reported as 288 on the 26th.

In the U.S., attention is focused on whether New York State, the hardest hit area, will restart its economy. Some states such as Hawaii, Alaska, Tennessee, and Iowa have already eased restrictions on economic activities. However, New York State, the economic and financial center of the U.S. and the hardest hit, considering economic reopening carries even more symbolic significance. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that "some businesses will be able to reopen after May 15" as part of a phased plan to ease the lockdown.

According to Realmeter, as of the 26th, New York's cumulative confirmed cases totaled 293,991, and cumulative deaths were 22,275. On that day, New York State's COVID-19 death toll was 367, slightly down from 437 the previous day. It is the first time in over a month that New York's daily COVID-19 deaths have fallen below 400. Governor Cuomo also explained that hospitalization rates are decreasing.

The plan is to allow manufacturing and construction businesses to resume operations first, and in the second phase, to analyze whether the services provided by businesses are essential and how risky they are to decide on reopening. However, retail businesses and service industries such as hotels are expected to be the last to return to economic activities.

New Jersey, the second hardest hit state after New York, also indicated the possibility of economic reopening on the same day. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said, "The economic reopening is not far off."

Colorado and Missouri also announced they would allow businesses and workplaces to reopen from May 4 under the condition of reduced personnel. Idaho also permitted the reopening of religious facilities from May 3.

However, some voices express concerns that these measures could lead to a second wave of COVID-19 infections. The Washington Post (WP) pointed out, "Economic reopening will result in more COVID-19 infections and deaths."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.