Europeans soak up the sun but virus travel rules a mishmash

BERLIN (AP) — Europeans and Americans are soaking up the sun where they can as many take advantage of a first holiday weekend since coronavirus restrictions were eased. The continent also is looking ahead to the return of tourist travel. Slowing infection rates across Europe have led to a gradual restoration of everyday freedoms in recent weeks, though the new normal is far from previous summers. Authorities enforced distancing rules on newly accessible beaches in Italy on Sunday. Still, the threat from the virus remains — with more than 5.3 million cases reported worldwide and over 342,000 confirmed deaths. The United States was on track to surpass 100,000 coronavirus deaths in the next few days.