WORLD / CROSS-BORDERS
Countries tighten border curbs
US orders mask wearing to protect against COVID-19
Published: Jan 31, 2021 05:33 PM

French police officers control "exit permit" of drivers on the road by the "Promenade des anglais," during the curfew hours in Nice on Saturday. Photo: AFP

A number of countries tightened their borders against a surge in variant strains of the deadly coronavirus as the US on Saturday ordered travelers to wear masks on most public transport.

As the global death toll surged past 2.2 million on Saturday, countries are tightening travel restrictions to try to rein in the spread of new more contagious strains of the novel coronavirus.

From Saturday, Germany banned most travelers from countries hit by new variants and France is to close its borders to non-European Union countries for all except essential travel from Sunday.

In Canada, travelers will have to quarantine in hotels at their own expense and airlines are suspending flights to southern destinations.

And in the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a sweeping order requiring the wearing of masks to protect against the spread of COVID-19 on virtually every form of public transportation throughout the country.

The order - which extends to travel on airplanes, trains, buses, taxis, ride-shares, subways, ferries and ships - expands on one of the first executive orders signed by US President Joe Biden, which required masking for interstate travel as part of a larger strategy to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

"Wearing masks on our transportation systems will protect Americans and provide confidence that we can once again travel safely even during this pandemic," the order states. "Therefore, requiring masks will help us control this pandemic and aid in reopening America's economy."

A small number of countries, however, have tentatively started to ease some of their stricter coronavirus restrictions.

In Italy, the Vatican Museums, including the Sistine Chapel, said they would reopen on Monday after being closed for 88 days - the longest closure since World War II.

The world-famous collections were expected to open their doors to the public from Monday to Saturday, but visitors must pre-book tickets and for specifically timed entry slots.

"The Pope's Museums await you with pleasure!" a statement said.

In Norway, the government said that a number of restrictions in Oslo and the surrounding region would be lifted next week.

Shops would be able to reopen in the capital and 24 nearby municipalities, from Wednesday, as would restaurants, but a ban on the sale of alcohol would remain in place, the government said.

AFP