TOP HEADLINES

- French President Emmanuel Macron announced all French people aged over 18 would be offered a COVID-19 vaccine after June 15. The French vaccine drive had been criticized for a slow start, but nearly 21 million vaccine doses have now been given. Macron said he hopes to lift restrictions on June 9. 

- The COVID-19 vaccines which have been approved are only recommended for adults - but that could be about to change, as Pfizer and BioNTech said they have written to the European Union asking for authorization to vaccinate those aged between 12 and 15. The companies claim their joint-vaccine has been tested in the U.S. and shows "100 percent efficacy."

- The World Health Organization has listed the Moderna vaccine (officially: mRNA 1273) for emergency use. It's the fourth COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by the WHO, meaning it can now be distributed as part of the COVAX effort. 

- Decisions are due next week from the WHO on whether to add the Sinopharm and Sinovac jabs, both produced in China, to the list of approved vaccines. 

- The Netherlands has postponed a further easing of lockdown measures until at least May 18. "We are passing the peak of the third wave. But the decline [of the infection rate] is not strong enough yet," tweeted health minister Hugo de Jonge.

- Belgian police fired water cannon and tear gas to clear a crowd of several hundred gathered in a Brussels park to protest anti-virus lockdown rules. The defiant, mainly young, crowd had assembled for the so-called "Boum 2" protest, organized online as a follow-up to a demonstration that was broken up last month.

- Authorities in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv have relaxed COVID-19 restrictions which were put in place in April. Public transport, cafes and restaurants will reopen, although passenger and customer numbers will be restricted. Wearing masks is still mandatory on transport and in public places.

- Portugal has reopened its border with Spain as part of a wide-ranging relaxation of restrictions, two days earlier than expected. Weddings are allowed again, although at 50 percent capacity, and cafes, bars and restaurants can open for much longer than previously. 

- Three thousand people have taken part in the first large "test event" in the UK as authorities try to implement safety measures at events like nightclubs, or sporting events. The two-day party at a warehouse in Liverpool was opened to customers who tested negative. They were not asked to wear masks. 

- And also in the UK, although affecting a different slice of the population, the rules around visitors to care homes have been relaxed. Residents will now be allowed to leave on "low-risk" trips without having to isolate for 14 days afterwards. The isolation policy had drawn criticism as staff did not have to comply. "Low-risk" includes walks, and garden visits. 

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AROUND EUROPE

Andrew Wilson in UK

About 22 million people in the UK are living in areas that have not reported any COVID-19 deaths during April. That compares with about 50,000 people in January.

The Office for National Statistics reported a drop of 40 percent in the number of infections this week, the largest percentage fall so far.

Ministers are expected to approve the next stage of the road map from May 17, which will include allowing physical contact with friends and family for the first time in more than a year.

On Tuesday care home residents in England will be allowed to go out on low-risk trips such as walks or garden visits without self-isolation afterwards. The rules vary across the UK.

One in 100 people hospitalized with coronavirus since the start of the vaccination programme had received a jab at least three weeks beforehand.

Greece

It's the Orthodox Christian Easter this weekend, and many Greeks went to church yesterday – where they adhered to social distancing and wore face masks. Religious icons and statues were disinfected between worshipers. Priests were also instructed to get tested before the holy weekend. 

Churches were closed last Easter, so people are seeing the restricted services as progress. 

The celebration of rebirth and a new start is apt, as Monday will see the lifting of many of the restrictions which have been in place since November. 

And Greece's vital tourism industry is expected to reopen in just over two weeks, on May 15. 

Rahul Pathak in Spain

The national emergency period is due to end across Spain on May 9 and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said no-one will be allowed to extend the measures. 

That includes limiting social gatherings and curfews.

But the President of the Balearic Government, Francina Armengol says she will try to extend the state of emergency in her region. 

The Balearics include the islands of Mallorca, Minorca, Ibiza, and Formentera; all popular tourist destinations.

In recent weeks the German and UK governments have both removed the Balearics from their high-risk lists.

The Balearics' infection rate measured over 14 days is one of the lowest in Spain at 58.90 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

FROM OUR GLOBAL COLLEAGUES

CGTN Europe: President Emmanuel Macron outlines France's COVID-19 lockdown easing plans

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CGTN APAC: Could India's COVID-19 case count be an underestimate?

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CGTN Europe has been providing in-depth coverage of the novel coronavirus story as it has unfolded. Here you can read the essential information about the crisis.