Curbs return across the world
TEHRAN/COLOMBO: Iran on Monday announced strict curbs in the capital Tehran and a nearby province to stem the spread of Covid-19, as daily infections drew close to an all-time high. Similar measures were taken in Sri Lanka and Vietnam, where cases have surged.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani had earlier this month warned of a “fifth wave” because of an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant in the hardhit country. Government offices and banks in Tehran and Alborz provinces are set to close until next Monday. Restrictions also include a ban on car travel to and from the two provinces.
In Vietnam, a third of the country’s 100 million people will now stay home as multiple southern provinces went under Covid-19 lockdown on Monday. The curbs came a day after nearly 6,000 new infections were reported.
In Sri Lanka, the Delta variant is spreading rapidly across the island nation and comprises around 30% of the new cases reported in Colombo, resulting in a tightening of curbs.
A study published in Nature Communications has found that antibody levels remain high nine months after infection with Covid-19. The study analysed data in Italy. Researchers from University of Padua in Italy and Imperial College London tested 85% of the 3,000 residents of Vo town in Italy in February and March last year.
Australia deports Katie Hopkins for breach plans
British commentator Katie Hopkins was deported from Australia on Monday after she boasted on social media that she planned to breach the country’s Covid-19 quarantine rules.
Hopkins travelled to Australia to appear in a reality TV show and was in a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine in Sydney. Home affairs minister Karen Andrews said Hopkins had boasted on Instagram her intention to flout the rules.