More countries and communities are reopening and resuming regular activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the country will start a phased reopening on June 1st. 

Turkey will begin by opening restaurants, cafes, beaches, parks and museums.

Travel restrictions in Istanbul, Ankara and Ismir will also be lifted. 

Bars and restaurants in France will reopen June 2nd with some restrictions, in addition to beaches, lakes and museums. 

So will cultural and sports venues depending on the location, said Prime Minister Edouard Philippe. 

As Latin America emerges as the next COVID-19 epicenter, Brazil has become a critical hotspot.

Despite high levels of COVID-19 infections, deaths and a public health system on the edge of collapse, the mayor of São Paulo announced plans to gradually reopen. 

Brazil now has the second highest confirmed COVID-19 cases in the world with at least 410,000 infections, according to Johns Hopkins University.

On Thursday, U.S. President Trump remained firm in his travel ban for Brazil. 

He called it a "very strong ban" but said U.S. citizens are not included in the ban.

The Boston Marathon was also canceled on Thursday, for the first time in its 124-year history.

Boston officials said it would not be possible to hold the usual race format without bringing large numbers of people into close proximity.

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