At least 24 states pause reopening as cases surge across the US
Hong Kong reported 42 new coronavirus cases Thursday, including 34 locally transmitted infections, as the city reimposed some restrictions in response to the rising case count.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) announced the tightening of social distancing measures to deal with the fresh outbreak.
Health officials said that from midnight on Friday, restaurants would not be allowed to operate at more than 60% capacity and no more than eight people will be allowed per table, while at clubs and pubs people will not be allowed to gather in groups of more than four.
The new restrictions will remain in place until July 24.
Of the 34 locally transmitted infections, 23 were linked to elderly care homes, nine were linked to previous cases and three were linked to taxi drivers and their families according to Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan of the CHP.
Chuang added that the health officials are exploring options with telecommunications companies in the city to search for passengers who took taxis with infected drivers.
“Fluctuations of cases in Hong Kong are within expectations,” said Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan, who added that the virus will not disappear before a vaccine is made available.
