Add Category
There are now three million confirmed cases of coronavirus across the globe and thousands of people continue to die from the disease daily.
Tight social distancing restrictions imposed to prevent further deaths have seen economies take a sharp downturn.
Australia's comparably low number of cases and limited community spread — with just 6725 confirmed cases and 85 deaths — has some states moving to ease restrictions.
But more widespread changes at a national level are not expected for at least two weeks.
In the meantime, countries where the virus has killed thousands of people are already looking to ease restrictions and reopen struggling economies.
From shrines in Iran to hairdressers in US and hunting in New Zealand, here is how the globe is easing coronavirus restrictions.
Italy
More deaths have been recorded in Italy than anywhere else in Europe, with more than 26,000 fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus tally.
The heavy death toll and subsequent restrictions have strained the Eurozone's third largest economy so much that some analysts suggest it could be headed towards its worst recession since World War II.
Two months after the country recorded its first case of COVID-19, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has laid out a plan to reopen the economy while avoiding a second wave of cases.
Italy will allow factories and building sites to reopen and permit limited family visits following weeks of lockdown from May 4.
Family visitors will have to observe social distancing, wear face masks and large gatherings are not allowed. Funerals will be permitted with no more than 15 mourners.
But movement between regions remains suspended and those moving about will still have to carry a declaration explaining their journeys.
Restaurants and bars will reopen fully from the beginning of June, while takeaway businesses could open sooner.
"We will live with the virus and we will have to adopt every precaution possible," Mr Conte said.
Spain
Children are again allowed to play outside throughout Spain after being cooped up indoors since the country declared a national emergency in mid-March.
This week, children aged under 14 were allowed supervised play outside for one hour between 9:00am and 9:00pm, as long as they stay within a kilometre of their home.
It is seen as the first step in the Spanish Government's plans to gradually ease restrictions.
Health Minister Salvador Illa said restrictions could be readjusted as necessary in the country, which has so far recorded more than 23,000 confirmed coronavirus deaths.
Economic activity could also be reopened in coming weeks, with the government keen to safely resume a valuable tourism industry, according to Environment Minister Teresa Ribera.
"If we open [the tourism industry] it has to be with total security," she said.
Iran
Shrines and religious sites in Iran will not open before the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
"With the current situation that we have, the possibility doesn't exist to open these sites until the end of the month of Ramadan," Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said.
Iran had been the hardest hit in the Middle East — with more than 5,800 deaths, according to the latest official reports — although it was recently overtaken by Turkey, which is the region's new COVID-19 epicentre.
Seeking a balance between protecting public health and shielding an economy already battered by international sanctions, the Iranian government has refrained from imposing the kind of wholesale lockdowns seen in many other countries.
Iran President Hassan Rouhani said the country would be divided into red, yellow and white regions depending on the rates of infection and number of coronavirus deaths.
Activities in each region will be restricted accordingly, so an area that has been consistently free of infections or deaths will be labelled white and mosques could be reopened and Friday prayers resumed, Mr Rouhani said.
But he did not give a date for when the restrictions could be lifted in specific areas.
United States
Despite having roughly a third of the world's confirmed coronavirus cases, some US states are making steps to ease social distancing restrictions.
It comes amid protests asking for an ease in restrictions as a record 26.5 million Americans have filed for jobless benefits since mid-March.
"We have to restore the American way of life and we need to start doing it now," said former New Jersey Governor and prominent Republican Chris Christie.
The state of Georgia is among the first to allow residents to dine at restaurants, watch movies at theatres, go to gyms and visit hair salons as more states take steps to ease coronavirus restrictions, even though health experts warned it may be too early.
Restrictions vary between states, but others to lift social distancing restrictions include Alaska, Montana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, Colorado, South Carolina, Tennessee, Minnesota and Mississippi.
In California, authorities will step up enforcement of coronavirus-related public health restrictions after crowds packed beaches.
It came after Orange and Ventura Counties allowed access to beaches, even though state parks remained closed, prompting families and groups to head to the ocean.
The crowds put the state's progress in slowing the advance of coronavirus at risk and could possibly delay a possible loosening of restrictions that was just weeks away, said Governor Gavin Newsom.
He said authorities avoid being punitive in issuing fines, but enforcement would be stepped up if the crowds continue.
"If there are people thumbing their nose and taking a risk, I think we may have to do a little bit more," Mr Newsom said.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is one of the worst hit counties, with the disease even putting Prime Minister Boris Johnson in intensive care for treatment.
Since recovered, Mr Johnson said the UK, which has so far recorded more than 20,000 deaths, is still at "maximum risk" in the coronavirus outbreak.
He argued that lifting the nationwide lockdown too soon would allow a second spike of infections.
The current lockdown measures have been in place since March 23 and are due to remain until at least May 7.
"If this virus were a physical assailant, an unexpected and invisible mugger — which I can tell you from personal experience, it is — then this is the moment when we have begun together to wrestle it to the floor," Mr Johnson said.
New Zealand
Hundreds of thousands of people are returning to work in New Zealand as the country eases some of the world's tightest restrictions to a level similar to Australia.
About 400,000 people will return to work, and activities like fishing, surfing, hunting and hiking for will be allowed for first time in more than a month.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the country had stopped community transmission of the disease and needed to hunt down the last few cases.
"We must make sure that we do not let the virus run away on us again," she said.
China
Schools across China are beginning to reopen.
Teachers and students who return a negative test result and do not have symptoms are allowed to enter their schools.
It comes as authorities report no coronavirus patients remain in hospital in Wuhan, the city where the virus first broke out.
China's National Health Commission said all COVID-19 patients in the city had been discharged.
However, the risk of imported cases remains high and cluster outbreaks have been reported in some places such as north-east China's Heilongjiang Province.
Australia
No federal restrictions will be lifted in Australia for at least two weeks, according to Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
But some state are choosing to ease restrictions in some areas.
Both the Queensland and Western Australia governments said they would be relaxing restrictions this week as evidence grows of a successful flattening of the curve.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said people would be able to go for a drive within 50 kilometres of their home or go out for a picnic with members of their household from May 2.
Some non-essential shopping, like for clothes or shoes, would be permitted and some national parks would reopen.
WA Premier Mark McGowan relaxed restrictions on Monday, April 27.
The two-person rule has been lifted, with indoor and outdoor non-work gatherings of up to 10 people now allowed to "ensure family and friends can stay connected during the pandemic".
NSW Premier Glady Berejiklian said the state's coronavirus restrictions will be slightly relaxed to allow people to see their friends.
From March 1, groups of two adults — and their children if they have any — will be able to visit other households for social gatherings.
Some other states, which all have varying levels of restrictions, are discussing potentially lifting restrictions.
ABC/WIRES
