Worldwide coronavirus deaths pass 650,000 as new surges prompt fresh curbs
- Curfews, closures and quarantine measures return as countries struggle to balance economic recovery with risk of Covid-19 flare-ups
- Despite grim figures, World Health Organisation argues against wholesale closing of borders
Officials around the world reintroduced a raft of restrictions Monday – from beach closures to quarantine measures – to try to damp down coronavirus hotspots as the official death toll passed 650,000.
European countries, trying to repair the economic damage caused by the earlier lockdowns, struggled to balance keeping the lifeline of tourism open while guarding against fresh flare-ups of infection.
Spain’s tourism industry faced fresh misery after British travellers – and one major tour operator – cancelled flights there following London’s decision to reintroduce quarantine for travellers returning from the country.
Hong Kong ordered the mandatory wearing of masks in public in response to a new wave of infections.
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Coronavirus: Hong Kong to limit public gatherings to two people and ban dining at restaurants
Belgium tightened its social distancing measures to try to halt what one expert called a “worrying” surge in cases.