Austria says reopening shops has not accelerated coronavirus infections

Austrian Health Minister Rudolf Anschober attends a news conference during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Vienna, Austria, May 5, 2020. Roland Schlager/Pool via REUTERS

VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria's first loosening of its coronavirus lockdown three weeks ago, in which thousands of shops reopened, has not led to a new spike in infections, though further vigilance is necessary, its health minister said on Tuesday.

The Alpine republic acted early to tackle the viral pandemic, closing bars, restaurants, schools, theatres, non-essential shops and other gathering places seven weeks ago. That helped cut the daily increase in infections to less than 1% and keep deaths relatively low - with just 606 reported so far.