As Australia continues to flatten its coronavirus curve, calls are mounting to start easing our shutdown measures.
and took the first steps on Sunday, announcing they would relax some lower-risk restrictions next week.
It comes as around a third of the global population still lives under some form of coronavirus lockdown.
So when are some of the worst-affected countries expected to start reopening?
North America
The US has recorded in what is the world's deadliest outbreak.
The country, as a whole, has consistently been reporting more than 1,500 deaths per day for weeks.
Despite this, some states in the US are pushing ahead with opening up parts of the economy and easing off on various restrictions.
Some states have seen , with those involved saying they want to return to work and are concerned their rights are being eradicated by draconian restrictions.
Different states are at different points in their coronavirus journeys. Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska are among those to start loosening lockdown orders.
Men protesting outside the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan against coronavirus restrictions. Source: AP
Further north in Canada, businesses have been closed and workers have been at home since mid-March. On 15 April, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the restrictions would last for "many more weeks".
Meanwhile, Mexico, which has reported more than 1,200 coronavirus deaths and shut schools and non-essential businesses, is expected to keep its restrictions in place for at least a few more weeks.
Europe
Italy was one of the first countries to implement a major shutdown when it - nearly 60 million people - on 10 March and closed non-essential shops and businesses.
It has already allowed some businesses to reopen, with more likely to follow on 4 May, but most restrictions remain in place.
Spain, which on Sunday had Europe's highest number of cases and second-highest number of deaths after Italy, began its near-nationwide lockdown in mid-March.
The shutdown, which Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has said will ease by region, has been extended until at least 9 May, though Spaniards could be allowed outdoors to exercise as early as 2 May.
France, which has seen more than 22,600 deaths, has flagged a reopening of businesses and a lifting of restrictions on non-essential travel starting 11 May.
Britain, , is unlikely to change its lockdown measures for a few weeks.
It was slower to enforce lockdown measures than other European countries and has had its prime minister, Boris Johnson, in intensive care after he contracted COVID-19.
Businesses in Belgium will start opening on 4 May and schools on 18 May, however cafes and restaurants will not be permitted to open before 8 June.
Around 6,700 deaths had been recorded in the country of 11.4 million on Saturday – the highest rate per capita on the continent.
In , where COVID-19 has claimed more than 5,000 lives, some shops have already reopened and schools are expected to follow suit from 4 May.
Police officers in Barcelona, Spain wearing face masks amid the coronavirus lockdown Source: AP
Controversy in Sweden
It has, controversially, allowed larger gatherings of up to 50 people, some schools to remain open and eateries to serve customers.
The country's method of countering the spread of coronavirus relies on citizens voluntarily practicing social distancing and has been criticised by some.
Sweden has recorded more than 16,700 cases of COVID-19 and more than 2,000 deaths.
By comparison, neighbouring Norway and Denmark, which have taken much stronger approaches, have much lower numbers.
The latter nations have both started lifting their restrictions, including allowing kids back to school.
People gather in a park in Stockholm, Sweden, Wednesday April 22, 2020 Source: AP
Asia
The world's first major lockdowns began in China back in January.
The lockdown in Wuhan, where the coronavirus was first recorded, has served as a model for countries battling the coronavirus around the world.
The city after a 76-day period where most people were unable to leave their homes, reportedly even to go grocery shopping or bury dead loved ones.
However, many areas in China are cautious about lifting the majority of restrictions too soon. There are concerns about a possible second wave of cases amid a jump in imported cases, particularly from Russia.
Enacted for a month and covering more than 40 per cent of the total population, it gives regional governments power to urge people to stay home and close businesses, but without force or imposing punishments.
After a spike last month, South Korea's coronavirus outbreak has slowed amid new border controls. Authorities have started relaxing some social distancing guidelines, but the campaign will remain until at least 5 May.
A man in a restaurant in Kamisu, Japan on April 23, 2020. Source: AP
Singapore, after initially drawing praise from other nations for the handling of its outbreak, has amid concerns it is in the midst of a second wave.
Despite only recording 12 deaths, with more than 12,600 cases the island city-state of 5.7 million people now has one of the highest infection rates in Asia.
In India, where more than 770 deaths have been recorded, some local shops outside of virus hotspots have been re-opened and rural farmers have been allowed to return to work.
But most of the country's shutdown restrictions - due to be lifted on 3 May and which only allow people out of their homes only to buy essentials - remain in place.
New Zealand
New Zealand's lockdown measures, much stricter than Australia's, will be eased from Tuesday.
The country is preparing to move to at least 14 days of "level 3" lockdown measures, which will allow for schools to re-open, more businesses to function and for restaurants to re-open for delivery services only.
On 23 March, the government implemented a near nationwide lockdown, with particularly strong restrictions on business.
New arrivals to the country have been required to quarantine for a fortnight under measures similar to those in Australia.
And just as in Australia, officials are also hoping to use .
On Sunday, New Zealand's death toll sat at 18.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
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