Children up to the age of 11 are returning to nurseries and schools across Denmark, as the government becomes the first in Europe to relax coronavirus restrictions on education.
Denmark was among the first countries in Europe to impose a lockdown, with schools closed on 12 March but today Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed children as they went back to school in the capital Copenhagen. While some people say this is a risky move, it does at least provide a glimmer of hope for everyone that the worst has passed.
Other countries besides Denmark have moved to relax lockdown measures this week:
Austria reopened thousands of smaller shops on Tuesday
The Czech government has set out a five-stage timetable
Spain has allowed the reopening of non-essential businesses and construction workers are now back on site
Italian bookshops and clothing stores for youngsters have reopened their doors in some regions, but Italians still have to travel alone to the stores, carrying official documents
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will shortly discuss easing restrictions with the country's 16 state premiers, with reports that they are expected to agree to a limited reopening of smaller shops from next Monday and a relaxation of rules on movement from 3 May.
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