Austria re-opens thousands of shops in lockdown loosening

Austria re-opens thousands of shops in lockdown loosening

Thousands of shops across Austria are re-opening on Tuesday (April 14) as it becomes one of the first countries in Europe to loosen its coronavirus lockdown.

Edward Baran reports.

Thousands of shops across Austria re-opened on Tuesday (April 14).

It's one of the first countries in Europe to loosen its lockdown.

The government's warning the nation it's not out of the woods just yet.

But shoppers outside this DIY store in Vienna welcomed the move.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) 49-YEAR-OLD OFFICE WORKER, CLAUDIA GRASSER, SAYING: "I'm no friend of online shopping.

I prefer going to the store to have a look around and see what I need, rather than shop online." (SOUNDBITE) (German) RESTAURANT OWNER, KARL ECKER, SAYING: "I have to go shopping.

We are re-opening our restaurant on the 15th and there is quite a bit of repair work to do." Austria has fared relatively well in the crisis so far.

It has reported 368 deaths in total.

That's fewer than some larger European countries have been suffering each day.

Last week, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz outlined a step-by-step plan to re-open the economy.

Starting with shops of up to 400 square meters - as well as all home-improvement and garden centers.

They're due to be followed by shopping centers, larger shops and hairdressers from May 1st.

Restaurants and hotels could progressively re-open from mid-May.