Millions face new virus curbs, but hope rises for US vaccineHong Kong's bars, gyms, and beauty salons closed again and a ban on gatherings with more than four people came into forceWASHINGTON - Millions of people faced new coronavirus restrictions Wednesday as infections surged, but in one sign of hope, a US firm said it would soon start final-stage human trials for a possible vaccine. Parts of the Asia-Pacific region, which had been somewhat successful in fighting the pandemic, provided fresh evidence of the deadly threat still posed by the virus. There was alarm in Japan too, where Tokyo's governor warned that the capital was on its highest coronavirus alert level after a spike in infections. - 'Please stop' -That came after the Indian state of Bihar, with a population of around 125 million, announced a 15-day virus lockdown starting Thursday. Face masks will become compulsory in England's shops and supermarkets from next week, while South Africa reimposed a nationwide curfew to prevent a "coronavirus storm".

Source: Bangkok Post July 15, 2020 18:00 UTC