Delta Variant Forces New Lockdowns As Europe Lifts Covid Restrictions

While COVID-19 vaccination drives have brought down infections in several countries, the rise of the Delta variant has stoked fears of new waves of the virus.

Australia's largest city Sydney entered a two-week lockdown Saturday to contain a sudden coronavirus surge and Russia's Saint Petersburg announced a record death count, as several European nations lifted restrictions despite the global spread of a highly contagious COVID-19 variant. While vaccination drives have brought down infections in numerous -- mostly wealthy -- countries, the rise of the Delta variant, which first emerged in India, has stoked fears of new waves of a virus that has already killed nearly four million people. Bangladesh announced that it would impose a new national lockdown from Monday over the variant, with offices shut for a week and only medical-related transport allowed. Sydney's normally bustling harbourside centre was nearly deserted after people were ordered to stay home except for essential trips.