Coronavirus: Dutch cases rise to 41,319, with 36 new deaths
Read the latest on the spread of the novel coronavirus around the world here
Italy's daily coronavirus death toll and new cases' tally both rise
Deaths from the Covid-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 369 on Wednesday, against just 236 the day before, the Civil Protection Agency said, while the daily tally of new infections also rose, increasing by 1,444 against 1,075 on Tuesday.
The total death toll since the outbreak came to light on Feb. 21 now stands at 29,684 the agency said, the third highest in the world after the United States and Britain. The number of confirmed cases amounts to 214,457.
Britain's Covid-19 death toll rises to 30,076
Britain’s Covid-19 death toll has risen by 649 to 30,076, according to figures announced on Wednesday by government minister Robert Jenrick.
The figures, which reflect deaths in all settings following positive tests for coronavirus, cover the period up to 1600 GMT on Tuesday.
Denmark to ease curbs on restaurants, retail business in second reopening phase - PM
Denmark’s government hopes to be able allow retail businesses, restaurants and cafes to open in the second phase of the Nordic country’s reopening strategy, the Danish prime minister said on Wednesday according to the Ritzau news agency.
“It will be the government’s proposal, that we reopen the entire retail business, including shopping malls, that restaurants and cafes can open again,” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said according to Ritzau.
The government is currently in talks with political parties about the country’s plans to ease restrictions set in place to curb the coronavirus outbreak, but has said the government would present a plan before May 10.
Canada's coronavirus deaths rise 5% from a day earlier to 4,111: official data
The total number of people killed by the coronavirus in Canada rose by about 5 percent to 4,111 on Wednesday from a day earlier, official data posted by the public health agency showed.
The figure for those diagnosed with the coronavirus rose to 62,458, according to Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam. On Tuesday, there were 3,915 deaths and 61,159 positive diagnoses.
Russia preparing for three-stage easing of coronavirus restrictions
Russia plans to ease its restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus in three stages, officials said on Wednesday.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the outbreak had stabilised in the past two weeks, with the growth in cases in the capital explained by increased testing. But he said the public should keep observing self-isolation measures even when some restrictions are eased from May 12.
Russia’s total number of coronavirus cases rose on Wednesday by more than 10,000 for the fourth consecutive day to 165,929, while the death toll climbed to 1,537.
France's Macron offers bailout for culture workers
French president Emmanuel Macron promised guaranteed stipends for out-of-work actors and money for filmmakers whose productions have been cancelled, as part of a bailout for an arts industry shut down by the coronavirus.
Macron’s government had been under fire for failing to act quickly enough to shield France’s theatres, libraries and concert halls from the turmoil wrought by the pandemic.
Like other European countries, France has launched a programme to pay most of the salaries of many employees sent home during the lockdown. But that has not covered many in the arts, who often work from gig to gig.
France has around a quarter of a million actors, musicians, dancers, set designers and other artists on short term contracts. Such workers, known as “intermittents”, receive state stipends to help cover costs between jobs provided they work at least 507 hours per year.
Belgium to open shops and allow Mother's Day meetings
Belgian shops will be allowed to open from Monday and people will be able to host others at their homes from Sunday, opening the door for Mother’s Day celebrations, Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes said on Wednesday.
The country of 11.5 million people, among the European nations worst hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, began easing lockdown restrictions at the start of this week, allowing businesses that do not have contact with consumers to restart.
Belgium, whose capital Brussels hosts the headquarters of the European Union and the NATO military alliance, has 50,781 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 8,339 deaths. However, the rate of new cases, hospital admissions and deaths has fallen steadily from early April peaks.
Yemen reports first three coronavirus cases, one death in Lahaj province
Yemen on Wednesday reported the first three cases of the novel coronavirus in the southern province of Lahaj, one of whom has died, and another infection in the southern port of Aden.
The emergency coronavirus committee of Yemen’s Saudi-backed government also said one Covid-19 patient diagnosed earlier in Taiz province had died. This takes the total count in areas under control of the internationally recognised government to 25 infections with five deaths.
The Houthi movement, which controls the capital Sanaa and most big urban centres, has so far reported one infection, a Somali national who was found dead in a hotel.
Uber to cut 3,700 jobs, CEO Khosrowshahi to waive base salary
Uber Technologies Inc will cut about 3,700 full-time jobs and Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi will forgo his base salary for the remainder of the year, the company said on Wednesday, as the Covid-19 pandemic decimates its ride-hailing business.
The company said the layoffs included its customer support and recruiting teams, and expects to incur about $20 million in costs for severance and related charges.
Uber and rival Lyft have already withdrawn their full-year financial outlooks as demand for app-based rides dropped sharply across the world after governments imposed stay-at-home orders to curb the transmission of the coronavirus.
Bahrain eases coronavirus restrictions, shops, industries to open
Shops and industrial enterprises in Bahrain can open from Thursday while restaurants will stay closed to in-house diners, the Health Ministry said, as the Gulf state eases restrictions designed to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
Bahrain shuttered non-essential shops and businesses in late March and barred entry of foreign visitors, but did not impose a curfew, unlike some other Gulf states.
Health Ministry officials told a news conference on Wednesday that employees and customers must wear face masks and practice physical distancing. Cinemas, sports facilities and salons remain closed. The small island state has reported 3,720 infections with eight deaths from the virus. The total count in the six Gulf Arab states exceeds 76,000 with 421 deaths.
Germany to ease lockdown as Merkel hails end of first phase of pandemic
Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday announced a range of steps agreed with Germany’s 16 federal state leaders to ease the coronavirus lockdown, saying the first phase of the pandemic had passed, although there was still a long way to go.
“We are at a point where our goal of slowing the spread of the virus has been achieved and we have been able to protect our health system .. so it has been possible to discuss and agree on further easing measures,” Merkel told reporters.
People from two households will be allowed to meet and more shops will open, provided hygiene measures are in place, but guidelines on keeping a distance of 1.5 metres and wearing mouth and nose masks on public transport remain.
Genetic mutation study finds new coronavirus spread swiftly in late 2019
A genetic analysis of samples from more than 7,500 people infected with Covid-19 suggests the new coronavirus spread quickly around the world late last year and is adapting to its human hosts, scientists said on Wednesday.
A study by scientists at University College London’s (UCL)Genetics Institute found almost 200 recurrent genetic mutations of the new coronavirus - SARS-CoV-2 - which the researchers said showed how it may be evolving as it spreads in people.
Francois Balloux, a UCL professor who co-led the research, said results showed that a large proportion of the global genetic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 is found in all of the hardest-hit countries. That suggests that the virus was already being transmitted extensively around the globe from early on in the epidemic.
Delhi announces summer vacation in state-run schools till June 30
The Delhi government has announced summer vacation in schools run and aided by the government from May 11 to June 30, officials said on Wednesday.
The government has also clarified that students will not be called to schools for any vacation-related activity in view of the coronavirus pandemic, reports the NDTV.
Teaching and learning activities in schools have been suspended since March 23 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdown has further been extended upto May 17.
"The summer vacations in government and government-aided schools shall be observed from May 11 to June 30. However, keeping in view the Covid-19 pandemic, students shall not be called to schools for any teaching, learning activity during the summer vacation," a senior official of the Indian Directorate of Education said.
Over 90,000 health workers infected with Covid-19 worldwide: nurses group
At least 90,000 health-care workers worldwide are believed to have been infected with Covid-19, and possibly twice that, amid reports of continuing shortages of protective equipment, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) said on Wednesday.
The disease has killed more than 260 nurses, it said in a statement, urging authorities to keep more accurate records to help prevent the virus from spreading among staff and patients.
The Geneva-based association said a month ago that 100 nurses had died in the pandemic sparked by a novel coronavirus that emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan late last year.
Putin warns against hurrying to lift coronavirus-related restrictions
President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said Russia should not rush to lift coronavirus-related restrictions, warning that any haste in removing preventative measures could undo their work so far.
Putin said governors would have the responsibility of deciding how to proceed in their own regions.
The country's coronavirus crisis response centre said earlier on Wednesday that the number of cases had risen by more than 10,000 for a fourth consecutive day and now stood at 165,929. Russia has recorded 1,537 coronavirus-related deaths.
Qatar Airways warns of job losses
Qatar Airways has warned it is planning to cut jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic, the company also said any job loss is “regrettable” and that it intends to enable employees to rejoin when possible when the circumstances improve.
“The unparalleled impact on our industry has caused significant challenges for all airlines and we must act decisively to protect the future of our business. As a result, Qatar Airways can confirm that the airline will make a number of roles redundant due to the impact of Covid-19.,” the airline said in a statement.
The airline for now did not say how many jobs will be cut.
Behind closed doors, France's Covid-19 death toll likely to jump
In April, an elderly resident living in Seine-Saint-Denis, France's poorest commune on the edge of Paris, went to hospital worried they had Covid-19. The test returned negative and the pensioner was sent home. Ten days later they were found dead.
For now, the death does not appear in France's official Covid-19 death toll, which includes only those who die in hospitals and nursing homes.
But data from the INSEE statistics office shows a nationwide increase in deaths at home. The rise is particularly pronounced in some of the low-income suburbs ringing central Paris.
"It's clear Covid-19 is killing a lot more people in their homes," said a healthcare worker familiar with the pensioner's death, "because they didn't know that they had it or were too wary to contact people for help."
Dutch coronavirus cases rise to 41,319, with 36 new deaths
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 232 to 41,319 on Wednesday, with 36 new deaths, health authorities said.
The country’s death toll stands at 5,204, the National Institute for Health (RIVM) said in its daily update. The RIVM cautioned that it only reports confirmed cases, and actual numbers are higher.
Baltic states to create "travel bubble" as pandemic curbs eased
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia will open their borders to each others' citizens from May 15, creating a Baltic "travel bubble" within the European Union amid an easing of pandemic restrictions, their prime ministers said on Wednesday.
The Baltic travel area would be first of its kind in the bloc, where most countries restricted entry to non-nationals and imposed quarantine on incoming travelers as the novel coronavirus spread across the continent.
"We have agreed that all three Baltic states have properly contained the spread of the coronavirus, and we trust each others' health systems," Lithuania's Prime Minister Saulius Skvernlis wrote on Facebook.
Spain looks set to extend state of emergency after PM musters opposition support
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks set to secure enough parliamentary votes on Wednesday to extend a state of emergency for two more weeks as the country relaxes a lockdown imposed to control one of the world's worst coronavirus outbreaks.
The strict lockdown has brought the outbreak under control, with a daily death toll of 244 recorded on Wednesday - far below peaks of nearly 1,000 registered at the beginning of April. But it has devastated the economy and led to huge job losses. The parliamentary wrangling on how to orchestrate the exit from the lockdown underlines the divisive political environment in a country that has faced four national elections in four years and where the government must battle for any backing.
"Lifting the state of emergency would be a total, unpardonable mistake," Sanchez said in a parliamentary speech on Wednesday, adding that the billions in state aid to help businesses and individuals hit by the lockdown were released thanks to the emergency decree.
India's plans airlift for 400,000 stranded abroad by virus travel restrictions
India will begin flights on Thursday to bring home some 400,000 citizens stranded overseas by travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, prompting some worries over the risk that imported infections could fuel contagion in the country.
India's coronavirus cases totaled 49,390 as of Wednesday, of whom 1,694 people had died, and there is still no sign of the curve in new cases flattening despite a stringent, weeks-long lockdown in the world's second most populous country.
But, responding to the distress among India's huge diaspora, the government has asked national carrier Air India to provide aircraft to bring back Indians who want to return from the Middle East, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Cannabis users rush to darknet to stock up for lockdowns, EU report says
Cannabis users appear to be stocking up via the darknet to avoid shortages while under lockdown during the coronavirus outbreak, the European drug agency said in a report.
The Lisbon-based agency analysed thousands of reviews on three major darknet market sites between January and March and found that restrictions on movement appeared to have triggered an increase in activity of around 25 percent during the period. The majority of buyers were looking for cannabis, Europe’s most commonly used illicit drug.
“The cannabis market is a large one and many regular cannabis users may have decided to stock up, anticipating market disruption during the lockdown period,” said the report, released on Tuesday evening.
India to send nearly 1,000 tonnes of paracetamol raw material to Europe
India will supply Europe with about 1,000 tonnes of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) for common pain reliever paracetamol, a top exports body said, easing export controls on over-the counter medicines used to cope with Covid-19 symptoms.
The Indian government in March put a hold on exports of several drugs including paracetamol to secure supplies for its people after the coronavirus outbreak disrupted the industry's supply chain globally. Covid-19 is the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Europe has sought up to 800 tonnes of paracetamol APIs every month, said Dinesh Dua, chairman of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil).
China calls US attacks a Republican political strategy
China said the recent accusations by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Donald Trump that the Covid-19 pandemic originated in a lab in Wuhan are a political strategy for Republicans ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
Speaking at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters, reports the CNN.
“We urge the US to stop spreading disinformation or misleading the international community. It should deal with its own problems and deal with the pandemic at home. I believe the strategy of the Republicans in their election shows that all too clear, and now we are fed up with such tricks,” said Hua Chunying.
“Mr Pompeo cannot present any evidence because he has not got any, this matter should be handled by scientists and not politicians out of their domestic political needs,” Hua added.
Spain's daily death toll picks up after three days below 200 - health ministry
The number of daily fatalities from the coronavirus in Spain picked up on Wednesday as health authorities registered 244 deaths, up from below 200 on each of the three previous days.
The health ministry said the overall coronavirus death toll rose to 25,817 on Wednesday from 25,613 the day before. The number of diagnosed coronavirus cases rose to 220,325 from 219,329 on Tuesday, the ministry said.
India's services activity collapses as coronavirus paralyses global economy - PMI
India's services activity suffered a shock collapse in April as the coronavirus lockdown crippled global demand, causing a historic spike in layoffs and reinforcing fears of a deep recession in Asia's third-largest economy, a private survey showed.
The grim result for the industry, the engine of economic growth and jobs, underlined the pandemic's sweeping impact across India as authorities extended a nationwide lockdown, in effect since March 25, until May 17.
The Nikkei/IHS Markit Services Purchasing Managers' Index plunged to an eye-popping 5.4 in April from March's 49.3, an unprecedented contraction since the survey first began over 14 years ago.
Britain did not sacrifice care homes by prioritising hospitals: Hancock
British health minister Matt Hancock denied on Wednesday that the government had left many elderly people in care homes vulnerable to the novel coronavirus by prioritising hospitals.
Asked on Sky News whether he should have acted differently towards care homes, Hancock said: “I think it’s very hard because I feel like we put a huge amount of effort and resources behind supporting care homes from the start.”
“Maybe we should’ve explained that more clearly,” he said, adding that it would have helped if Britain could have tested more widely earlier in the outbreak.
Cameroon doctor faces influx of Covid-19 patients
The Central African country of Cameroon now has one of the highest case rates in the region, with over 2,000 people infected and more than 60 dead.
While scenes of overwhelmed hospital wards have been broadcast from across Europe and the United States, most African countries have so far been spared much of the mayhem.
As cases rise, however, doctors are beginning to get a taste of the challenges that lie ahead.
UK has drawn up three-stage plan for easing coronavirus lockdown
The United Kingdom has drawn up a three-stage plan to ease the coronavirus lockdown that was first imposed at the end of March, The Times newspaper said.
The government must review the lockdown by May 7 but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made clear that he is worried about triggering a second deadly spike in cases.
The first phase will involve small shops reopening alongside outdoor workplaces and the second will involve large shopping centres reopening, with more people encouraged to go into work, The Times said.
Pubs, restaurants, hotels and leisure centres will be among the last to open, the newspaper said.
Ousted US whistleblower says Trump health official played down coronavirus threat
The ousted director of a US agency responsible for developing drugs to fight the coronavirus pandemic filed a whistleblower's complaint on Tuesday accusing President Donald Trump's administration of retaliating when he raised concerns.
Rick Bright says in the complaint filed with a government watchdog that he warned about the virus in January and was met with hostility from Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar and other high-ranking officials in the agency.
"Dr Bright acted with urgency to begin to address this pandemic but encountered resistance from HHS leadership, including Secretary Azar, who appeared intent on downplaying this catastrophic threat," reads the complaint, which his lawyers filed with the US Office of Special Counsel.
Spain's daily death toll picks up after three days below 200
The number of daily fatalities from the coronavirus in Spain picked up on Wednesday as health authorities registered 244 deaths, up from below 200 on each of the three previous days.
The health ministry said the overall coronavirus death toll rose to 25,817 on Wednesday from 25,613 the day before. The number of diagnosed coronavirus cases rose to 220,325 from 219,329 on Tuesday, the ministry said, Reuters reported.
UK scientist behind lockdown quits after breaking rules
A top scientist who advised British leaders on coronavirus lockdown measures said on Tuesday he had resigned from a key government panel after admitting to breaking the country's rules on social distancing.
Professor Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist on the advisory team helping the UK coordinate its pandemic response, stepped down following media reports that he had allowed a woman to visit him at home, AFP reported.
Bangladesh reports highest daily spike of 790 coronavirus cases, 3 deaths
Bangladesh has recorded its sharpest rise in daily cases of Covid-19 yet, according to the health directorate.
During a virtual briefing today, Additional Director General of Health Directorate Nasima Sultana confirmed three more deaths from the novel coronavirus and 790 new cases of infection testing 6,241 samples in the last 24 hours, The Business Standard reported.
Philippines' coronavirus infections top 10,000
The Philippines' coronavirus infections have broken past the 10,000 mark, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
In a bulletin, the health ministry reported 320 additional infections, bringing the total to 10,004. It also reported 21 new deaths, bringing the toll to 658. But 98 patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,506, Reuters reported.
Germany to reopen all shops and schools in May
Germany will take new steps towards normalisation in May, including reopening shops and schools after weeks of shutdown imposed to control the spread of the coronavirus, according to a draft agreement seen by AFP Wednesday.
“Even after initial steps to open up were introduced from April 20, the number of new infections remained low,” the document read, with “no new wave of infection” so far detected — justifying the series of bolder reopening steps.
So far, only certain children like those soon facing exams had been allowed to return to class.
But now kindergartens and primary schools will also reopen from next week.
“Step-by-step, schools should make possible education of all pupils while implementing appropriate hygiene measures and upholding distancing rules,” the document read.
Chancellor Angela Merkel and premiers from Germany’s 16 federal states are expected to sign off on the text later Wednesday.
Meanwhile it will be up to the individual regions to decide how to proceed with reopening universities.
Russia's coronavirus cases rise by more than 10,000 for fourth straight day
The number of new coronavirus cases in Russia rose by 10,559 over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 165,929, the coronavirus crisis response centre said on Wednesday.
It was the fourth consecutive day that cases had risen by more than 10,000, Reuters reported.
It also reported 86 new fatalities from Covid-19, bringing the total death toll in Russia to 1,537.
France daily coronavirus deaths rise to 330
France on Tuesday recorded 330 new coronavirus deaths over the last 24 hours, a rise in the daily toll as the country prepares to begin easing lockdown measures in less than a week.
The latest deaths brought the total toll from the epidemic in the country to 25,531, according to top health official Jerome Salomon, AFP reported.
The 330 new deaths are also higher than 306 new fatalities recorded Monday, which in turn were more than double a day earlier.
But the pressure on intensive care units continues to ease, with 266 fewer patients suffering from coronavirus in the last 24 hours to make a total of 3,430 patients receiving such urgent treatment.
France is due to emerge on May 11 from a lockdown that began in mid-March to combat the virus, with officials saying the epidemic is steadying while warning the country must remain cautious to ward off a second wave.
South Korea returns largely to normal as outbreak controlled
South Korea returned largely to normal Wednesday as workers went back to offices, and museums and libraries reopened under eased social distancing rules after new coronavirus cases dropped to a trickle.
The South endured one of the worst early outbreaks of the disease outside China and while it never imposed a compulsory lockdown, strict social distancing had been widely observed since March, AFP reported.
Hubei schools reopen first time after the outbreak
Hubei province, one of the deadliest epicenters of Covid-19 in China, has reopened its schools today.
But only the students of grade 9 and 12 are heading back to schools as they have big exams ahead in the upcoming summer. The rest of the batches will still remain at homes, BBC reported.
Covid-19 lockdown risks 1.4 mn extra TB deaths
The global lockdown caused by Covid-19 risks a "devastating" surge in tuberculosis cases, with nearly 1.4 million additional deaths from the world's biggest infectious killer by 2025, new research showed Wednesday.
TB, a bacterial infection that normally attacks patients' lungs, is largely treatable yet still infects an estimated 10 million people every year, AFP reported.
New York reports 15 child cases of rare disease linked to Covid-19
Fifteen children have been hospitalized in New York with a rare inflammatory disease possibly linked to coronavirus, officials said Tuesday, in the latest reports of the worrying syndrome.
Kawasaki disease is a mysterious illness that primarily affects children up to the age of five and causes the walls of arteries to become inflamed, resulting in fever, skin peeling and joint pain, AFP reported.
Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 947 to 164,807
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 947 to 164,807, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday.
The reported death toll rose by 165 to 6,996, the tally showed, Reuters reported.
UK virus death toll tops 32,000, world’s second highest
The number of people killed by the coronavirus in the UK stands at 32,313, according to official figures on Tuesday, the second highest death toll in the world.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed Britain had now overtaken Italy, which has reported 29,029 fatalities, and now only stands behind the US with 68,700 deaths, the largest single-country toll, AFP reported.
Brazil posts daily record of 600 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday
Brazil hit a record for daily coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, indicating that the nation is still in the thick of its battle against the virus, even as some areas of the country are beginning to open up.
According to the Health Ministry, there have been 6,935 new cases of the novel coronavirus in Brazil since Monday evening and 600 new deaths. The previous record of 474 deaths came on April 28, Reuters reported.
The nation has now tallied 114,715 confirmed cases of the virus and 7,921 deaths, the ministry said, making it by far the hardest-hit country in Latin America. New cases increased roughly 6.4% from Monday evening, while deaths increased roughly 8.2%.
The states with the most cases in descending order are Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in the southeast and Ceara in the northeast, where capital city Fortaleza will enter a full lockdown on Friday.
In comments to reporters on Tuesday evening, Health Ministry Subsecretary Wanderson Oliveira emphasized that new deaths had not necessarily occurred since the previous day, but were officially recognized during that time period. He said there are over 100,000 tests conducted by private labs that have not been officially registered by the government.
China reports 2 new coronavirus cases, 20 new asymptomatic cases
China reported 2 new coronavirus cases for May 5 and 20 new asymptomatic cases, data from the national health authority showed on Wednesday.
This compared with 1 new coronavirus case and 15 new asymptomatic cases reported a day earlier. The two new cases were so-called imported cases involving travellers from overseas, compared with one such case a day earlier, Reuters reported.
China's total number of coronavirus cases now stands at 82,883, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4,633, the National Health Commission said in a statement.
Colombia extends Covid-19 lockdown to May 25, additional sectors to start re-opening
Colombia's mandatory quarantine will be extended by a further two weeks as it tries to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, President Ivan Duque said on Tuesday, although additional sectors will be allowed to start returning to work.
The Andean country, which has reported more than 8,600 confirmed cases, leading to 378 deaths, began a national quarantine on March 24 and has previously extended it twice. It had been set to end on Monday, Reuters reported.
"Between May 11 and May 25 we will extend the obligatory preventative isolation but recover space for productive life," Duque said during his nightly television broadcast.
Industrial sectors and sales of cars and other items can re-start from May 11. Manufacturing and construction had already been allowed to return to work.
Children aged between 6 and 17 can go outside three times a week for 30 minutes, Duque added. Those 14 and under need to be accompanied by an adult who is not part of a high-risk group.
The lockdown has hurt poor and vulnerable people across the country, who have been cut off from their usual informal jobs, leading to protests in working class neighborhoods in the capital Bogota.
Duque's government has earmarked billions of dollars in welfare for the country's poor and aid for independent workers and companies, as it looks to lessen economic fallout and already climbing unemployment.
