Weeks After Reopening, Hong Kong Shuts Schools Again

Restrictions tightened after dozens of new coronavirus cases detected
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 10, 2020 12:10 AM CDT
Hong Kong Shuts Schools Again After Rise in Cases
Associated Press reporter Zen Soo pokes her head out the window for some fresh air while serving her 14-day quarantine at home in Hong Kong.   (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)

Hong Kong's government on Friday said it is suspending classes for students through middle school following a rise in coronavirus cases.The territory—which closed schools in January and began reopening them in late May—has reported a total 1,365 cases with seven deaths in a population of 7.5 million people. The increase in new cases has prompted the government to tighten social-distancing measures, the AP reports. Kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools will be closed until further notice, according to the education department.

Officials reported 42 new cases on Thursday, 34 of them locally transmitted. Most of the new cases were related to known clusters, including an elderly home and several restaurants. From Saturday, restaurants will only be allowed to operate at 60% of their seating capacity, with a maximum of eight people per table, while bars and nightclubs can only have up to four people per table. Fitness centers and karaoke bars will be limited to eight patrons at any given time.

(More coronavirus stories.)

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