France enters a second phase of easing lockdown rules today after an initial loosening of restrictions that began on 11 May as official figures show the novel coronavirus outbreak continuing to diminish in the country.

South Korea on Wednesday announced a spike in new infections and considered reimposing social distancing restrictions,  news wires reported. The Asian country was widely praised for its strategy of tracing, testing and treating the coronavirus pandemic. But it reported  on Wednesday 40 newly confirmed cases, the biggest daily jump in nearly 50 days while millions of children returned to school.

The German federal government and the country's 16 states decided in principle to keep coronavirus contact restrictions in place until 29 June, dpa reported, citing the federal press office statement. The agreement followed more than a day of consultations among the federal government in Berlin and state officials. The states may decide to ease some restrictions as of 6 June, for example the limit on gatherings to 10 people or a maximum of two households.

The Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia are set to start reopening their borders for their citizens to travel. The measure will become effective on Wednesday.

There is a growing friction in Germany between the federal government and state governors over plans by some regional leaders to put pandemic-related restrictions to an end despite fresh clusters of cases across the country, AP reported.

Muslims around the world began marking a sombre Eid al-Fitr Sunday, many under coronavirus lockdown, but lax restrictions offer respite to worshippers in some countries despite fears of skyrocketing infections.

Spain will reopen to international tourism from July, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday, as the country is slowly emerging from one of Europe’s strictest lockdowns, implemented on 14 March. There will be, however, security measures in destinations and at points of origin.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday once again described the restrictions on fundamental rights during the coronavirus pandemic as an "imposition" on democracy - but at the same time she defended the measures.

New demonstrations are planned across Germany against coronavirus restrictions this weekend, dpa reported.  Protests are set to take place in the capital Berlin, Stuttgart, Cologne, Munich, Frankfurt and Hanover.

Several European countries are to further ease coronavirus restrictions as of Monday, notably Spain, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Bulgaria, etc., news wires reported. In all cases relaxations come together with strict measure to ensure social distance, disinfest and ensure no new infections will appear. The measures follow consistent drops in the number of daily recorded deaths across the continent.