Countries tighten curbs over fears of ‘second wave’

Governments across the world imposed new restrictions in a bid to cool coronavirus hotspots as new infections shot up in some countries, sparking fears of a second wave.

The World Health Organisation warned that the virus does not appear to be affected by seasonality and the global death toll from the pandemic passed 654 000 on Tuesday, nearly a third of that number in Europe, according to an AFP tally.

More than 100 000 deaths have been recorded since 9 July and the global toll has doubled in just over two months.

Iran suffered its worst day yet of the pandemic, reporting 235 new deaths on Tuesday, a record toll for a single day in the Middle East’s hardest-hit country.

Chinese authorities scrambled to halt the possibility of a second wave of infections after a new coronavirus cluster in the northwest port city of Dalian spread to other provinces.

In recent months, a number of small outbreaks have given cause for concern, with China reporting 68 new infections on Tuesday – the highest daily number since April.

Meanwhile, the UK over the weekend introduced a mandatory 14-day quarantine for travellers returning from Spain which has seen an uptick in cases in recent weeks.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Tuesday of a “second wave” in Europe.

Spain’s tourism industry faced fresh misery as Germany also issued a travel warning against parts of the country.

Greece said it will reopen six of its ports, including Piraeus in Athens, to cruise ships at the weekend but made masks compulsory again in shops and public services in response to a recent rise in infections.

The World Health Organisation meanwhile warned against false beliefs that summer is safer and could slow the spread of the pandemic.

“Season does not seem to be affecting the transmission of this virus,” WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told reporters.

– AFP