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South Africa bans alcohol, tightens curbs as Delta variant rages, UK's army chief catches virus, and other pandemic-related news across the globe

South Africa bans alcohol, shuts schools to curb virus surge

South Africa will move to level-4 restrictions, the second-highest level of curbs as the country battles a deadly wave, driven by the highly contagious Delta variant. In a televised address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa said there will be a ban on alcohol and public gatherings, and that schools will be shut for 14 days. The tighter restrictions threaten South Africa’s nascent recovery from its worst contraction in a century last year, when gross domestic product shrank 7 per cent. The country's situation has been worsened by a slow vaccination