As coronavirus cases fall across Europe again after a recent spike, many countries are considering easing lockdowns.
On Tuesday, France became the first country in the area to lift some restrictions.
The World Health Organization reported on Wednesday that cases dropped 6% in Europe last week and 10% the week before. In Italy, shops in low-infection areas may be allowed to reopen 10 days before Christmas. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined a plan Monday to return to a three-tiered system of restrictions after Dec. 2. The areas with the most severe outbreaks would face the tightest restrictions.
On Tuesday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that restrictions would be eased beginning on Saturday. Shops can begin reopening with social distancing guidelines and other restrictions in place. Religious institutions will be allowed to reopen but will be limited to 30 people or fewer in attendance. Residents can leave their home for three hours to exercise, but they may not travel more than a 12-mile radius to do so.
Macron said travel restrictions would be lifted beginning on Dec. 15 if cases continued to drop. A 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew would also replace the current stay-at-home order. However, restaurants and bars would have to remain closed until Jan. 20.
France has reported the most cases on COVID-19 in Europe at 2,153,815, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
But in recent weeks, cases have been falling. Cases appeared to reach a peak on Nov. 7, when 86,852 new infections were reported. On Tuesday, France reported 9,155, a drop of 89% from the peak.
