China, Europe ease COVID-19 restrictions as schools reopen

Students in China's major cities, Beijing and Shanghai, returned to school on Monday after more than three months of closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Europe is also seeing a decrease in daily death tolls, offering hope that the outbreak has peaked in some of the hardest-hit countries.

Leaders and experts are debating how to balance economic revival with public safety as various regions begin to outline reopening plans.

Italy and New York have presented partial reopening strategies, with France and Spain set to follow suit this week.

Students in China must comply with health checks and digital health codes, and primary schools in Norway also reopened.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that "We have won that battle" against the virus as the country begins its phased exit from lockdown.

Some businesses like hairdressers and florists in Switzerland have also reopened.

Despite easing restrictions, concerns remain about potential resurgences and imported cases.