Five positive news stories from this week

Originally posted on CoronaUnity.

We all need a break from the gloomy news stories surrounding the pandemic. Here are five positive and exciting stories from around the world to brighten up your week.

UK MOVED TO LEVEL 4 ALERT

Boris Johnson announced that the UK had moved from a Level 5 to a Level 4 according to the new Covid-alert system. This allows people to meet up with one other person that they don’t live with, keeping 2m apart. People are being encouraged to work from home, but can return to work if it’s safe to do so. If the infection rate decreases, then schools will open June 1 with pubs and restaurants opening July 1.

AMSTERDAM TRIALS ‘COVID-SAFE’ RESTAURANTS

A few countries in Europe have started to ease lockdown rules and return to normal life in the safest way possible. In Amsterdam they are trialling ‘Covid-safe’ restaurants where guests are isolated in glass green houses and staff are serving customers wearing protective masks and gloves. Speaking to the BBC, Guila Soldati, a chef trialing this method in Amsterdam, said: “We want people to still feel safe to eat together and share a meal.” From 1 June Dutch bars can reopen their terraces with restrictions, and theatres and cinemas will start reopening under strict conditions to keep people safe.

BUSINESSES REOPEN IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand has begun easing its restrictions after moving to Level 2 and has no new cases of Covid-19 in the past week. Thousands of businesses have reopened and this next step has been described by the government as a “safer new normal.” Virgina Braun, resident from Auckland, said "you can hear all the background noise and it feels different but also buzzy and alive again." People are allowed to start seeing their friends and family again with a limit of up to ten people. Pauline Buchanan expressed her appreciation of the new rules: "It was my 75th birthday yesterday and now it's really special because I'm able to celebrate it with friends at long last."

FAMILY REUNITE AFTER TWO MONTHS APART

Spain had some of the toughest lockdown measures in Europe. Now, they are slowly being lifted in certain areas. Two women who had been separated from their family for two months of lockdown found that they had missed crucial moments, such as their niece learning to walk. Wearing masks with no physical contact, they communicated through loving gestures such as pretending to hug. After being reunited with her family, Loli Yebra Llandres, said: "It's amazing for all of us. There’s been so much time with no touch and today is a very happy day for us.”

MINISTRY OF SILLY WALKS

Homeowners around the world have been putting up signs in their front gardens asking people to strut their goofy stuff. Inspired by the Monty Python sketch called “Ministry for Silly Walks”, it has encouraged others to loosen up on their daily strolls and lighten the mood. Cynda Fleming, from Leaside in Toronto, told CTV News “I just wanted to do this to bring some positivity into this crazy situation we’re in right now.”