WHO warns against lifting lockdowns too soon

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The World Health Organisation warned governments on Tuesday (April 21) lifting lockdowns must be gradual.

Ending them too soon could lead to a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, it warned.

Here's director for the Western Pacific region Takeshi Kasai:

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR, TAKESHI KASAI, SAYING:

"This lifting (of lockdown) cannot go all at once, but should be a gradual and then phased manner."

WHITE FLASH

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL DIRECTOR, TAKESHI KASAI, SAYING:

"This battle, COVID-19 battle, is going to be a long one, and it's really important time for us to think a new way of living. For individuals, as I have mentioned, that they should be able to make this already as a part of their life, do it in practice. For the private sector, we want them to really think the way they can operate in minimising the risk."

Kasai said the epidemic must not disrupt vaccination programs against other diseases like polio, tuberculosis, measles and rubella -- otherwise already strained health systems could face new crises.

Italy was the latest hard-hit country on Tuesday to announce it would begin to lift some restrictions, starting in early May.

In the U.S., protesters have labeled mandatory lockdowns as “tyranny” over fears of devastating economic damage.