Parisians enjoy bank holiday in the sun amid virus

Thousands of people flocked Paris' parks on Thursday for an afternoon in the sun after two months of lockdown due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

The bank holiday weekend gave Parisians a chance to enjoy an ice cream come and a ride in a row boat despite special measures still being in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Some wore masks and gathered in small groups dotted across wide open lawns but many appeared to struggle to keep their distances with their friends and relatives.

Mother Laetitia Bergeron told The Associated Press that while her family was still being very cautious, the children needed "fresh air".

The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.