Nations tighten masking, social distancing rules as COVID death toll crosses 7 lakh

NIRMAL YESODA

The recent surge in coronavirus cases all across the globe strongly indicates that the pandemic is spreading rapidly everywhere and there could be no end in near sight. According to the latest statistics, the deadly pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 7,00,000 people worldwide, and the total number of positive cases has crossed 18 million.

As the pandemic spreads all across the world without any control, countries are tightening measures to contain coronavirus, thus to reduce the number of casualties and surge in positive cases.

According to an AFP report, France and the Netherlands are planning to implement stricter masking and social distancing rules to slow down the spread of coronavirus. Recently, a scientific committee has warned the French government that the country could lose control over the pandemic’s spread at any time.

On the other hand, in the Netherlands, strict mask-wearing measures will be implemented in Rotterdam and the Red Light district of Amsterdam.

Due to the recent surge in coronavirus positive cases, Philippines has resumed lockdown again, and people are requested to stay in homes unless they are going out to buy essentials.

The United States continues to top the coronavirus chaos chart with more than 1,300 new deaths recorded just on Tuesday, bringing the total death toll to 1,60,000. According to the latest figures, there are more than 4.9 million positive coronavirus cases in the United States alone.

In the meantime, tennis player Rafel Nadal has announced that he will not play the US open which is expected to begin in the United States on August 31.

“The situation is very complicated worldwide, the COVID-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it. This is a decision I never wanted to take… for the time being I rather not travel,” said Nadal.