Coronavirus diary, Monday 18 May

It looks as though we might be waking up from the deep sleep of lockdown, looking out on a window to a brighter world. There is more good news than for two months, encouraging optimism.

Italy: slowly getting back to 'normal'. Photo: AP

After weeks of doleful daily tolls, fewer deaths are being reported with some countries cautiously celebrating their first day with none. Italy, one of the worst hit countries with over 31,000 deaths, has a lot to be cheerful about. It is coming to life again. Factories and parks have reopened, followed today by bars, shops, restaurants, cafes and hairdressers. People travelling to Italy won't have to self isolate fo two weeks.The prime minister admits it is all a calculated risk but necessary to save the economy.

The borders are opening up in the Baltic countries and in the other parts of Europe. France has described its own road map as a progressive and controlled exit plan.

That is more than can be said of the UK's efforts to decide on safe moves forward that will balance the health and economic issues. With factories and businesses open again, people were pouring back to work today; rail services back to seventy percent normal but workers are encourage to go by car or bike.

The school reopening argument is still raging, the government holding firm, but there is the same uncertainty over many other questions which the Prime Minister will not answer. He is still dithering over the foreign travel restrictions that will delay the revival of tourism although the airlines say they will increase services in two weeks time..

There are more promises as usual from the government, the latest is that we are near the target to collect contact tracers and that we might all be getting the anti virus jab in a matter of months, eagerly splashed by the newspapers. Still, it is better than bad news.