Turks, Israelis ease up; Myanmar receives aid

ANKARA－Turkey announced on Monday a "normalization plan" to gradually ease restrictions imposed during the novel coronavirus pandemic as the death rate falls, but warned of tougher measures to come should the number of infections rebound.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said shopping malls would be allowed to open from May 11, as would barber shops, hairdressers and beauty parlors－as long as they abided by certain rules.

The government is also lifting entry and exit restrictions for seven cities where the outbreak has been brought under control.

But Erdogan also warned: "If the rules aren't adhered to and the outbreak spreads again we will be forced to resort to tougher measures."

Total infections in Turkey rose to 127,659 on Monday, and the death toll stood at 3,461.

Elsewhere in the Middle East, Israel on Monday eased many of the restrictions on the public that were put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, as the country seeks a new "coronavirus normal".

Israelis will now be allowed to travel anywhere in the country. Malls and markets will open later in the week and schools will return to regular schedules by the end of the month.

Commercial flights, however, remain suspended for the most part. Limitations on the size of gatherings are still in place.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the easing of restrictions, together with a government stimulus plan, would allow Israel "to return to a new normal－the coronavirus normal".

Israel has reported 16,246 cases and 235 deaths.

In Myanmar, the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Monday donated medical equipment and other items to a newly built laboratory at Myanmar's military hospital for use in testing for COVID-19.

The laboratory was set up with Chinese military medics providing technical assistance and training to the laboratory practitioners.

South Korea on Tuesday reported three new cases, the lowest daily increase since Feb 18, continuing a downward trend as the country restarts professional sports and prepares to reopen schools.

Amid the slowing caseload, officials have relaxed social distancing guidelines and decided to reopen schools in phased steps, starting with high school seniors on May 13.

South Korea's professional baseball league began its new season on Tuesday with pictures depicting fans filling vacant seats and cheers from the dugout could easily be heard in the quiet stadium. The professional soccer league will kick off under similar conditions on Friday.

Cautious reopening

Australia and New Zealand said on Tuesday efforts to resume travel between the two countries would take some time, as they cautiously reopen their mostly shuttered economies.

Australia has recorded around 6,800 infections and 96 deaths, and New Zealand 1,137 cases and 20 fatalities with no new cases recorded on Tuesday.

Rules on social distancing have been eased slightly in New Zealand and in some Australian states and territories but restrictions on large gatherings and non-essential travel remain.

Xinhua - Agencies