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US States Tighten Coronavirus Restrictions After Rise in Cases

VOA News

   With the country seeing a surge in coronavirus cases, the leaders of
   California, Iowa and other U.S. states are imposing new restrictions to
   try to slow the spread of the virus that has killed more than 247,000
   people in the United States.

   Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all indoor gatherings to be limited
   to 15 people, mandated wearing masks for people who are unable to
   socially distance from people indoors for more than 15 minutes and said
   all restaurants and bars must close by 10 p.m.

   "If Iowans don't buy into this, we lose," Reynoldssaid ataMondaynews
   conference. "Businesses will close once again. More schools will be
   forced to go online, our healthcare system will fail, and the cost in
   human life will be high."

   In California, Governor Gavin Newsom went further, halting all indoor
   service at bars and restaurants and requiring people to wear masks when
   outside their homes, with limited exceptions. The restrictions apply to
   40 of California's 58 counties.

   New Jersey also put tighter limits on gatherings of people from
   different households, while the city of Philadelphia banned any indoor
   gatherings among people who do not live together.

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