Virus cases hit seven million as Latin America crisis deepens

European countries experimented with further lifting coronavirus restrictions yesterday as New Zealand declared victory over the pandemic, even as global cases topped seven million and deaths mounted in Latin America.

The number of COVID-19 fatalities has now passed 403,000 worldwide since the disease emerged last year, subjecting billions to some form of lockdown and paralyzing economies.

But even the hardest-hit countries are lurching back to a new kind of normal, with bars and restaurants coming back to life and travel restrictions lifted from London to Brussels to Moscow.

But in some places, it was far from business as usual.

Pubs and eateries flung their doors open in Belgium, but with social distancing measures in force, while Ireland opened shops and allowed gatherings and travel, also with limits.

New Zealand buoyed hopes for the rest of the world as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that her country had beaten the virus and lifted all restrictions, though strict border controls remain.

The country’s measures were lifted after its final coronavirus patient was declared recovered, prompting the leader to dance around her living room in celebration.

“We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now,” Ardern said, adding that Kiwis had “united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus.”

New Zealand Rugby also announced its top-flight domestic competition would restart this week, with fans allowed to pack into the stadiums for the first time in months.

Governments around the world are cautiously peeling back punishing lockdown measures to resuscitate economies while trying to avoid a resurgence of infections.

Moscow said yesterday it would ease border restrictions and lift lockdown measures in the Russian capital from today, while Ireland said it would permit gatherings of six people and allow citizens to travel up to 20 kilometers from home, an extension from the previous 5km limit.

In Brussels, thirsty patrons lined up in the early morning for a cold beverage at L’Union, eager to drink in a pub again after three months of closures — much to the relief of manager Bart Lemmens.

“I was a bit worried beforehand,” he said, as some 50 people crowded into the pub.

“We work to create a convivial atmosphere. I was afraid we’d lose that. But what happened? We were invaded.”

Britain embarked on a more cautious reopening, imposing a two-week quarantine for anyone coming into the country by land, sea or air sparking legal action by airlines.

Across the Atlantic, countries were gearing up for the worst as the outbreak escalated in Latin America, the new virus hotspot, with Brazil, Mexico and Peru particularly hard hit.

Brazil has the world’s third-highest death toll at more than 36,000, but President Jair Bolsonaro continues to play down the impact of the virus and has urged regional officials to lift lockdown measures.

And in Chile the confirmed death toll reached 2,290 after miscalculations from March and April were corrected, adding 1,541 to the figure.

Meanwhile in Asia, fears that the virus may not be under control persist, with the death toll and infection rate climbing sharply in India.

But Thailand hit a positive milestone after two weeks with no local infections. The only recorded cases came from overseas arrivals who were quarantined.

The kingdom was the first country outside China to officially report a COVID-19 case in January but it has largely escaped the high tolls seen elsewhere, with just 58 deaths.