Europe looks past lockdowns as US and Japan brace for coronavirus trauma

Germany believes public life can gradually resume, while Spain and Italy see glimmers of hope

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Europe's governments have begun to look ahead to the post-lockdown phase of their battle against Covid-19 as curves on the continent flatten, while the US braces for "peak death week" and Japan prepares to declare a state of national emergency.

Austria on Monday became the first EU country to publicly announce plans to lift its restrictions. "The aim is that from April 14 ... smaller shops up to 400 square metres, as well as hardware and garden stores, can open again, under strict security conditions," the chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, said.