EU shows signs of hope, proceeds to return to normalcy

If there’s anything people across the world are wishing intently for, it’s the return of normalcy. The countries topping the list of top destinations for migration in the EU are now trying to get back on their feet.

The EU Commission is ready with a draft of a strategy for overcoming the COVID-19 crisis.  It envisages a gradual return to normalcy that’s well-planned and well-controlled.

The Commission has started off with the move by advising the member states. It asked member states to reason some of the restrictions that were imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also asked to abolish those restrictions that are no longer necessary.

The draft of this advice is prepared to be published soon. It suggests that every country must meet two conditions:

• A considerable slowdown in the spread of the virus
• Enough hospital and intensive beds

Also, countries willing to facilitate the measures must have sufficient tests to monitor and control the infection from spreading.

In this regard, the Commission also proposes that priority for protection be given to people in the most vulnerable groups. For children, the exit strategy looks forward to their return to school with more focus on safety.

The draft is set to be presented by the EU Commission President, Von Der Leyen. He will do it after the Easter holidays.

Simultaneously, the Commission has sent word to the Schengen Associate Member States and the Schengen Area. They are invited to extend the external border closure for another month. This is done due to the concerns of a further burst of the pandemic in the area.

Normalcy in Austria

Austria has started to relax the Coronavirus restrictions as revealed by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Last week, he emphasized that the easing of these measures depends on the citizens following social distancing rules.

Mr. Kurz has revealed that the aim is to let certain types of shops to open from April 14, 2020. These include:

• Shops under a size of 400 square meters
• Hardware and garden stores

They will be opened under strict security stipulations.

Kurz also said that if the government’s program goes as per plan, larger shops will open again on May 1, 2020. Following the same trend, restaurants and other services could also resume functioning in stages from mid-May.

In case the infection resurges, the government is always ready to revert to a state of emergency.

Normalcy in Denmark

Denmark is also planning to go back to normalcy after Easter. The country is planning to re-opening nurseries and primary schools on April 15, 2020. Businesses will also be allowed to operate once more on a gradual basis. The terms of gradual re-operation will be determined by the central authorities.

The Danish PM Mette Frederiksen has told local media that any indication of relapse of the pandemic will be met with quick restrictive measures.

Normalcy in Germany

The plans of Germany to gradually return to normalcy after Easter has been hinted at by Germany’s Health Minister Jens Spahn. Mr. Spahn also asserted the readiness of the country to do this. For this, the cooperation of the German people by adhering to the present restriction measures are sought.

The observation of the government that the reported infections are flattening out is a hopeful scenario. It gives hope to even the German immigration scene. The status of the pandemic in the country in mid-March has been slightly encouraging.

The restrictive measures against COVID-19 are taking effect in Germany. But it will be the vigilance and discipline of German citizens during the Easter holidays that counts. That would determine if Germany can gradually start lifting anti-COVID measures after the holidays.

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