Slovenia becomes first in Europe to declare end to coronavirus as Berlin reopens bars
SLOVENIA has become the first nation in Europe to declare an end to its coronavirus outbreak.
It comes as Germany has begun to reopen bars, and France has seen its new case count dip to just 104 on Friday.
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Slovenia's government announced yesterday that the Covid-19 epidemic had ended within their borders - recording a total of 1,465 cases and 103 deaths.
In a statement, the National Institute of Public Health said: "All indicators point to a slowdown in the spread of the virus in the population."
The Ministry of Health said just one new case was confirmed on Thursday, with no deaths, and over the past two weeks only 35 people had been infected.
Prime Minister Janez Jansa said the Balkan nation has the "best epidemiological picture in Europe" and boasted Slovenia had "tamed the virus" as they prepare to further relax some lockdown measures.
Slovenia - which has a population of 2million - will begin reopening its borders which were placed under tough restrictions to stop visitors bringing in the coronavirus.
The nation declared an epidemic on March 12, when it had just 96 cases.
Next week will also see the reopening of some schools, shops, bars and hotels, but people will still be encouraged to respect social distance, wear masks and disinfect their hands in public spaces.
Slovienia's lockdown however has sparked protests, with activists accusing the government of using the pandemic as an excuse to ramp up police powers and curb freedoms.
Meanwhile, other European countries are also beginning to emerge from the lockdown as the virus' spread slows.
Bars and restaurants have started opening up again in some German states - including Berlin - and football is making a return under strict guidelines with the Bundesliga.
Germany was also preparing to relax restrictions on its borders - but travelers will still have to demonstrate a "valid reason" to enter the country until at least June 15.
With a total number of infections of 175,699 and 8,001 deaths, Germany has come through the pandemic with a surprisingly low death rate - recording 724 new cases and 73 new deaths on Friday.
France meanwhile recorded 104 new deaths and 636 new cases on the same day as its infection rate also appears to slow - with a total 179,506 cases and 27,539 deaths.
The nation began easing its lockdown after 55-day quarantine this week, but is continuing to urge caution as they believe the virus is still active.
Some parts of the country - such as Paris - have been dubbed "red zones" and remain under stricter measures.
Millions headed back to work and shops reopened on Monday, but gatherings are still not allowed and people can only travel 60 miles from their homes.
Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland also began easing restrictions this week.
Italy and Spain - two of the worst impacted nations in Europe with 223,885 and 274,367 cases - began easing restrictions earlier this month.
Europe remains fearful of a potentially devastating second wave, with expert Erika Vlieghe, from Antwerp University Hospital, saying "it would be naive to think it would be gone and over and done with".
The World Health Organisation has also warned of another spike that could hit Europe this winter - and has urged countries to use this lull in the pandemic to brace for impact.
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Britain remains the worst impacted nation in Europe with 333,998 deaths from 236,711 cases - second only to the US in terms of figures worldwide.
Some lockdown restrictions were eased earlier this week, with some sectors allowed to return to work and people given permission to spend unlimited time outside.
Schools reopening is the next phase of the lockdown lifting, with government advisors insisting it will be safe to reopen in two weeks.