Meaning of the preposition "AS" in news

[otaviotuisse]

Hello,

I read a news last week at the newspaper "The Sun" and I have a question about the interpretation of the word "as".

The whole news is:

The number of cases in the country have been rising for the last few weeks as some restrictions have been lifted.
Earlier this month, Chancellor Angela Merkel and State leaders agreed and easing of restrictions along with an "emergency brake" for a lockdown if case numbers rise above 100 per 100,000 on three consecutive days.
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The part where it says: "As some restrictions have been lifted" means:

1- The number of cases have been rising because some restrictions have been imposed

2- The number of cases have been rising even with some restrictions imposed

3- The number of cases have been rising beause some restrictions have been taken away

4- The number of cases have been rising even with the restrictions taken away

I'm really confused about the word "as" and the expression "restrictions have been lifted". "Lifted" in this case is being used as which meaning?

[Joe]

Lifted means removed or reversed or taken away.

The as is ambiguous here but probably is intended to mean because.

So the answer is 3.

Note that in this context AS is a conjunction (not a preposition).

[otaviotuisse]

Thank you very much for clarifying my ideas. I had asked 3 other English teachers in my country (Brazil) and each one gave me a different answer...

Thanks for your attention