Some Asian countries have yet to resolve cluster-linked coronavirus cases as governments struggle to contain outbreaks traced back to large gatherings.
New Church-Linked Cluster Detected in South Korea
On Sunday, officials confirmed that as of Sunday, a total of 34 coronavirus cases have been linked to a Protestant church in Daegu, raising concerns about further outbreaks linked to religious gatherings.
So far, the latest cluster at the Protestant church is the second-biggest outbreak linked to a religious group following a massive outbreak from the Shincheonji church earlier this year.
South Korea has been battling with a resurgence in new COVID-19 cases in the country that are driven by cluster infections. A bigger outbreak linked to a religious sect in Seoul has been in the center of the local government's anti-coronavirus measures.
Food Business Restrictions Kick Off
In the greater Seoul area, restrictions on restaurant, franchise coffee chain, and bakery operations kicked off on Sunday, as part of the capital's efforts in curbing new coronavirus infections.
The eight-day restrictions will require the said food businesses to operate in-person only until 9 p.m. Takeout and delivery orders will be allowed starting 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., but the said rule will only be applicable for bakeries and restaurants.
Furthermore, customers dropping by coffee chains to order takeouts will be required to provide their information for contact tracing purposes should new cases be linked to the coffee chains.
As of Saturday, South Korea has logged a total of 19,400 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 321 deaths.
Victoria Returns to Triple-Digit Daily Log
In Australia, the situation in hard-hit Victoria has yet to see a downtrend. The state, on Saturday, reported 114 new coronavirus cases, marking an increase from the previous day's toll of 94 infections.
During a televised conference on Saturday, Victoria's premier Daniel Andrews reiterated that the state cannot reopen yet. "At 100, 94, 114, whatever the number, we simply could not open up," he said.
The Victorian capital of Melbourne remains in a six-week lockdown. Government officials previously noted that the hard lockdown will be eased but on a gradual trend.
As of Saturday, Australia has recorded a total of 25,547 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 600 deaths, many of which are linked to aged care facilities.
India to Reopen Underground Trains
Meanwhile, the world's third hardest-hit country in terms of confirmed coronavirus cases, India, will start reopening underground train transportation next month despite concerns about the country's massive number of infections.
Aside from train transportation, the country will, also, allow operations in sports and religious events next month.
The reopening of operations on the said segments will only be done on a phased note, the federal home ministry explained. The decision was made as part of the efforts to revive the economy.
According to the federal home ministry, underground train transportation will reopen in New Delhi starting September 7, while sports, religious gatherings, academic events, and social events will be allowed starting September 21.
The gatherings of large groups will only be limited to a maximum of 100 people.
As of Saturday, India has logged a total of 3,539,712 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 63,657 deaths linked to the novel coronavirus.
