Both the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Union have urged countries lifting coronavirus lockdown measures to do so gradually, with the WHO recommending a “step-wise” approach that leaves two weeks between the easing of different restrictions.
This two-week period would “allow sufficient time to understand the risk of new outbreaks and to respond appropriately”, the WHO said, as it warned the “risk of re-introduction and resurgence of the disease will continue”.
EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said today that countries should only ease restrictions if they had a significant drop in infections, sufficient capacity in their healthcare system, and robust monitoring capability. “In general, we recommend a gradual approach and every action should be continuously monitored,” she said.
The advice comes after a number of countries hardest hit by coronavirus, including Italy and Spain, began lifting restrictions.