Countries considering lifting lockdowns against COVID-19 should do so "with control", the World Health Organization has warned.
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Countries considering lifting lockdowns against COVID-19 should do so only slowly and "with control", the World Health Organization has warned.
"It cannot happen all at once," WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a daily news briefing.
"While COVID-19 accelerates very fast, it decelerates much more slowly. In other words, the way down is much slower than the way up," he said.
Meanwhile French president Emmanuel Macron announced the country's nationwide lockdown would continue until 11 May.
Spain has been implementing a partial return to work in the country, in factories, offices and on construction sites. The country has reported more encouraging casualty figures and amid cautious optimism that the pandemic may be reaching its peak.
The UK has reported 717 more hospital deaths in 24 hours, taking the official COVID-19 total to 11,329. The actual figure is thought to be higher.
Key developments:
UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab has praised people for staying at home over Easter and "saving lives".
Spain eases restrictions in non-essential sectors, as casualty figures continue to improve
French President Emmanuel Macron announces lockdown extension till May 11
The death toll in the state of New York tops 10,000