Texas and North Carolina on Friday reported their highest hospitalization rates since the pandemic began, but officials in both states said reopenings will likely still go ahead.

One by one, states are weighing the health risks from the virus against the economic damage from the stay-at-home orders that have thrown millions out of work over the past three months.

In a letter to Premier Francois Legault, the physicians argue that a number measures, including two-metre social distancing, are impossible to enforce and even compromise children's health.

Public health experts are urging caution as governments ease restrictions on eateries, shops and parks in many countries and roll out measures to restart dormant factories.

Since COVID-19 restrictions began March 22, Halifax police reports issuing 184 violation tickets.

Johnson, due to make a televised address at 1800 GMT, is expected to announce a limited easing of restrictions, such as encouraging those who cannot work from home to return to their offices and factories.

As restaurants begin to reemerge amid an easing of restrictions, new details will have to be worked out, including: boosting staffing, new health protocols and how to manage customer behaviour.

Georgia has so far gone farthest toward reopening its economy, with nearly every business in the state free to reopen on Friday.

People with visual impairments struggle to buy essentials amid COVID-19 restrictions.

The city announced plans to reduce service on April 22, which will see Winnipeg Transit run on an "enhanced Saturday schedule" starting this coming Monday.