Global wrap: Hong Kong 'critical' as Covid cases rise worldwide
Lam says situation out of control, while Melbourne makes face masks compulsory
The coronavirus situation in Hong Kong is really critical", with a record 100 new infections recorded on Sunday, the territory's leader, Carrie Lam, said, as Melbourne became the first city in Australia to make wearing masks compulsory in response to a resurgent and aggressive outbreak there.
Hong Kong was held up months ago as a model for its success in keeping down Covid-19 cases in the crowded city-state of 7.5 million people, but its caseload - although still low by European and American standards - had grown by a third in the past fortnight to nearly 1,800. Lam has shuttered bars, gyms and nightclubs in the past week and on Sunday announced new guidelines including mandatory mask-wearing indoors.
Continue reading...