Volvo reopens some plants, some countries ease restrictions

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments Monday related to the global economy, the work place and the spread of the virus.

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CENTRAL GOVERNMENT:

— New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Monday that the country will remain in a strict lockdown for another week before easing the rules a little to allow some parts of the economy to reopen. New Zealand has been in the lockdown for nearly four weeks. Starting next week, workers at some businesses such as construction and manufacturing will be able to resume their jobs, and some schools reopen, although parents will be encouraged to continue having their children learn from home.

— Denmark took another small step toward reopening society when hair salons, dentists, physiotherapists, tattoo parlors and driving schools, among others, were allowed to reopen Monday.

Social distancing, removal of magazines in the waiting area, possibility for both staff and customers to wash their hands, thorough cleaning and shifted work times were key to the reopening, business minister Simon Kollerup said.

— Some shops are reopening in much of Germany as Europe’s biggest economy takes its first tentative step toward restarting public life after a four-week shutdown.

Shops with a surface area of up to 800 square meters (8,600 square feet) are being allowed to reopen Monday, along with auto showrooms, bike shops and bookshops of any size, under an agreement reached last week between the federal and state governments.

State governments are responsible for imposing and loosening shutdown measures, and there are regional variations. Berlin and neighboring Brandenburg are expected to reopen small shops later this week....