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New Zealand, S. Korea Toughen Coronavirus Restrictions

VOA News

   New Zealand is requiring everyone using public transport and traveling
   on airplanes to wear face coverings starting Monday, while enhanced
   restrictions aimed at stopping the spread of a coronavirus outbreak in
   Auckland are being extended through Sunday.

   Auckland, the country's biggest city, has been dealing with a
   collection of cases after the country went more than 100 days since
   declaring no community transmission of the virus. Health officials
   reported eight new cases linked to the Auckland cluster Monday.

   "We know masks protect you and the people around you," Prime Minister
   Jacinda Ardern said at a briefing Monday.

   She said she understands the frustrations of people in other parts of
   the country where there are not any new cases being reported yet some
   restrictions remain in place. But she said with people allowed to
   travel between regions, the tradeoff in allowing such economic activity
   is requiring social distancing and placing limits on mass gatherings.

   In South Korea, where officials are also trying to get control of an
   outbreak centered in the Seoul area, the government imposed an order
   requiring masks in both indoor and outdoor locations on Monday.

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