The Latest: Belgium relaxes virus lockdown, opens shops

Belgium is taking a major step in relaxing its coronavirus lockdown by opening shops under strict conditions.

Even still, public transportation in capital city of Brussels was hit by a strike because bus drivers didn’t feel safe under current virus precautions.

Authorities on Sunday permitted people to start meeting with four close relatives or friends, allowing many families to celebrate a restricted Mor’s Day.

Some hospitals began treating patients with n-urgent problems and courthouses opened again for limited business.

Protective masks are mandatory on public transportation, and many shop owners h prepared ir facilities with alcohol disinfectant and plexiglass dividers at register.

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NEW DELHI, India — India’s train network, one of world’s largest, will grually restart operations on Tuesday as country eases its coronavirus lockdown amid a steep rise in infections.

country reported 4,213 new COVID-19 cases over past 24 hours, its biggest single-day spike. India has h more than 67,000 cases, including 2,206 deaths.

rise in infections comes on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet various state hes to discuss country’s lockdown exit strategy.

India’s train network, closed in late March when a strict nationwide lockdown was implemented, will be first mode of transport to resume in country of 1.3 billion people.

Passengers would have to wear masks and undergo health screenings before being permitted to board, railway ministry has said. Only asymptomatic passengers will be allowed on trains, which will make fewer stops than usual.

anuncement comes after government arranged for trains to transport thousands of migrant workers stranded in Indian cities back to ir homes.

railway system is often described as India’s lifeline, transporting 23 million people across vast subcontinent each day, some 8.4 billion passengers each year.

India’s 54-day coronavirus lockdown is expected to end on May 17.

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WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday anunced a plan to re-open ecomy and nation’s schools over next 10 days.

Life is expected to resemble what it was like before coronavirus outbreak in many respects, although social distancing rules will still apply, and social garings will be limited to 10 people at events like weddings and funerals. nation’s borders will also remain closed.

Under plan, almost all businesses will be able to re-open beginning Thursday, including retail stores, malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms. People will also be able to take flights around country. Schools will n re-open starting next Monday. Bars will be last businesses allowed to reopen, on May 21.

Ardern said bars pose a high risk: “We don’t want to be South Korea — to open our bars only to close m again,” she said.

New Zealand has been successful in reducing new cases of virus to a trickle, including two days last week when new cases were recorded. In total, country has reported close to 1,500 cases and 21 deaths.

Ardern said New Zealanders need to remain cautious: “We may have won a few battles but we have t won war,” she said.

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GALLUP, N.M. — A 105-year-old New Mexico woman who beat back 1918 flu that killed millions, including her mor and infant sister, is battling COVID-19.

Gallup Independent reports Lubica “Luby” Grenko, who will turn 106 in August, has been fighting new coronavirus since being diagsed April 29 at Little Sisters of Poor in Gallup, New Mexico.

Grenko was born when World War I began and survived 1918 flu before enduring Great Depression and World War II.

flu took lives of her mor, Marijeta Kauzlaric, 28, and younger sister, Annie Kauzlaric, 1 month old.

Grenko’s granddaughter, Misty Tolson, says her grandmor remembers her mor going into hospital and never coming out.

Tolson says she doesn’t think her grandmor understands current virus because she told one of aides who walked in with protective gear on, “What heck do you have on?”

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SHANGHAI — Visitors wearing face masks streamed into Shanghai Disneyland as China’s most prominent me park reopened Monday in a new step toward rolling back anti-coronavirus controls that shut down its ecomy.

park, which closed Jan. 25, will limit visitors and is keeping some attractions closed in line with social distancing guidelines. Disney guests, many wearing Mickey Mouse ears, and children dressed as movie characters were checked for fevers at gate, and decals were used to designate a safe distance between visitors.

China, where pandemic began in December, was first ecomy to shut down and first to reopen in early March. Factories and shops have reopened but cinemas, karaoke parlors, gyms and or businesses remain closed.