ATLANTA -- Johns Hopkins University researchers say the global death toll from the coronavirus has passed 200,000.
A cautious easing of restrictions is gathering pace around the world.
India is reopening neighborhood stores that many of the country’s 1.3 billion people rely on for basic goods.
The relaxation did not apply to hundreds of quarantined towns or shopping malls.
The U.S. states of Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska also began loosening lockdown orders on their pandemic-wounded businesses.
Italy said free protective masks will be distributed to nursing homes, police, public officials and transport workers, preparing for the return to work of millions when lockdown restrictions are eased from May 4.