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  • Europe has always been a few weeks ahead of us in this global fight against Cove in 19 their cases surged before I rose.

  • And now some nations the U blocker, taking baby steps to get back to work.

  • Maggie Ruli has this report.

  • You remember the images Healthcare workers struggling to keep the sick alive, The icy use overflowing Spain was hit harder than most nations.

  • And for the first time in weeks since Coben, 19 claimed over 18,000 lives tonight, some relief that nation's allowing some non essential workers back on the job officials they're trying to revive an economy on life support is they, like much of the world, are desperate to get back to normal.

  • Well, some are eager to get a semblance of their lives back.

  • I think that they did this at the right time.

  • People are keeping the safe distance, and I think it is very good.

  • For others, it's a sense of unease.

  • Situation is a bit strange because you still see a few people on the streets.

  • You're all confined and I feel a bit strange.

  • In Madrid, those who venture out are handed facemasks, courtesy of the government, a necessary precaution when the invisible enemy can strike again.

  • At any moment in Barcelona, people are still on alert.

  • I've been a a month in quarantine.

  • Now everyone is taking a lot of measurements.

  • The streets are still very empty, so you you're able to take your distance from everyone.

  • Um, and I think it's a matter off.

  • Yeah, Taking a right precautions herself.

  • Some of the business is allowed to resume includes those working in construction and manufacturing.

  • Others working in shops and bars and public spaces must wait almost two more weeks.

  • While officials closely monitor the infection rate.

  • For Austria, the back to work order is methodical.

  • Small mom and pop shops are being permitted to reopen well.

  • Restaurants and larger stores have to hold out until May.

  • We saw straight slowly, starting to fill again.

  • As China loosened locked down restrictions two weeks ago.

  • And while those who lived in the original epicenter of the outbreak and Han were permitted to leave their homes, the fear of the unknown remained.

  • Looks like things are fairly normal.

  • It's kind of weird.

  • Leaving the neighborhood is still like all these guards set up stuff on.

  • You have to scan it.

  • Q R code to get out.

  • I think that just kind of track you.

  • I think it was gonna play.

  • Play it cautious.

  • Just go chill out at home.

  • Maybe not leave the neighborhood for a while.

  • One thing is certain.

  • Among those who have lived through this outbreak, no one wants a resurgence.

  • But now that some European countries are starting to lift lockdowns, the inconsistencies within the you block maybe a new costs for concern.

  • France and the UK just extended their restrictions until next month.

  • Everywhere in mainland France and in the overseas territories, the system is under strain and the epidemic is not yet under control.

  • Heads of state will have to reconcile how to deal with a plunging economy, perhaps the worst since the Great Depression, while families and communities leave loved ones and an uncertain future.

  • And Maggie Rule, he joins us now from London and Maggie, while Spain in Austria attempt to reopen Britain, is still really in the thick of things like we are here in the U.

  • S.

  • Yeah, exactly, Lindsay.

  • Unfortunately, we're still seeing some high numbers that are very scary to be living through.

  • 700 more than 7/3 us again today in the UK we saw more death, more hop hospitalizations over yesterday.

  • And that's why, unlike some of our neighbors here in the UK, we're extending this locked over, expected to extend it for weeks, although the exact length of that extension is still somewhat unknown.

  • We're not alone, though.

  • France is also extending their lock down, which Lindy leaves us.

  • Still many questions about what's going to happen here in Europe, where you have some countries like you mentioned Austria, Spain, Italy, starting toe tentatively, loosen up some of these lockdowns.

  • Any of the UK and France getting stricter and tightening up, you know, begs the question.

  • What's the future going look like?

  • They're going to be a new normal, with Borders open and trade freely and supply chains operating.

  • Is this the new normal that we're gonna have to get used to?

  • So even as some countries are opening up there still so many questions Lindsay and Maggie, As you know today, the I am for at least a dire warning, saying the global economy could be plunging into its worst period since the 19 thirties.

  • Talking, of course, about when the great depression happened.

  • How is the European bloc handling the crushing job losses Able?

  • Lindsay.

  • This whole thing started off as a medical crisis, but now it's quickly becoming an economical crisis as well.

  • And here in the you were seeing this firsthand, we know that millions are potentially going to be out of work and the government are trying to step up.

  • We're seeing an unprecedented stimulus package here in the U with more than a 1,000,000 companies across the continent that have signed on saying they're gonna try to avoid having to lay off their workers.

  • But that was just still so much unknown.

  • And just today the UK came out telling people here, warning us to prepare for some tough times ahead financially and even Lindsay telling people that they're not going to be able to support every household, every business.

  • So these kind of warnings are stark.

  • They're hard to hear.

  • But unfortunately, you know, we know we're not alone.

  • Nearly every country in the world is going to be dealing with this kind of economic crisis.

  • Lindsay Maggie, ruling.

  • Thanks for reporting it again for us tonight.

  • Hi, everyone.

  • George Stephanopoulos here.

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  • Thanks for watching.

Europe has always been a few weeks ahead of us in this global fight against Cove in 19 their cases surged before I rose.

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