Italy, France, Spain and Germany are all taking cautious steps towards loosening COVID-19 social distancing restrictions, after the countries reported their lowest infection rates in weeks.

Some of the worst hit areas in Europe’s coronavirus outbreak are beginning to gradually return to normal life after months of quarantine restrictions.

Italy enters phase two response and more relaxed restrictions

On Monday, Italy entered ‘phase two’ of its coronavirus response strategy, which mean a new, more relaxed set of lockdown rules for citizens.

From this week, relatives in the same region are allowed to visit one another, citizens are allowed to exercise outdoors as long as they practice social distancing, and funerals with less than fifteen people in attendance may also take place, according to CNN.

Bikes selling bikes and scooters have also been allowed to re-open in a bid to reduce the burden on Italy’s public transport system.

Most other shops, cinemas and schools will remain closed for the time being.

Spain allows gatherings of up to ten people, restaurants to provide pick-ups

Spain marked the lowest number of new coronavirus cases this week, since their lockdown began in March.

As a result, the Spanish government began to ease restrictions on Monday, allowing public transport to begin operating again, so long as passengers wear face coverings.

Spanish restaurants, which had previously been limited to home delivery, are now able to provide order pick-ups from behind plexiglass barriers. Gatherings of up to ten people may also now take place.

The new restrictions will also allow some small businesses to re-open, although customers are required to book time slots to be allowed entry.

France plans to ease restrictions this week

The French government is expected to set out how it plans to loosen coronavirus restrictions on Thursday May 11.

The plan is likely to see the country divided into zones, with different rules for each place, according to France’s Le Monde.

If conditions are right, the government is expected to announce that most shops will be able to re-open from Monday and citizens allowed to travel up to 100km from their homes.

While France’s borders will also remain closed, along with hotels and restaurants, there is some speculation that small tourist sites in the green areas of the country may also be allowed to re-open.

German Chancellor sets out plan to gradually re-open the country

Germany is also set to cautiously re-open after weeks of restrictions designed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The German Chancellor said on Wednesday that social distancing restrictions will remain in place until June 5, but that German citizens may now meet with the members of one other household.

Speaking in a news conference, the German Chancellor said that shops will also be allowed to open, with additional hygiene measures put in place.

According to German news outlets, Ms Merkel said Germany had “reached the goal of slowing down the spread of the virus,” but she added that there was still a “long struggle” ahead.