Tourism, diplomacy facing pushback as virus caseloads surge

MITO, Japan (AP) — Countries are considering putting away their welcome mats to tourists and regional meetings are being put on hold as the coronavirus pandemic strengthens its grip in many of the worst-affected countries.

The biggest driver of new infections in Australia's biggest current outbreak is people continuing to go to work after showing symptoms, Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said. The state on Monday reported a record 532 new cases, while its biggest city, Melbourne, is almost half way through a six-week lockdown aimed at curbing community spread of the virus.

“This is what is driving these numbers up, and the lockdown will not end until people stop going to work with symptoms and instead go and get tested,” Andrews said.

Australia is among many nations in the Asian-Pacific where foreign travelers are essentially banned or, when allowed to enter, required to submit to tests and strict quarantines.

The dearth of such international travel has cleared Asian skies of the jet trails that are a background sight for much of the world.

At the same time, some countries that have let limited international travel resume are reconsidering as clusters of cases grow into new outbreaks.

Some European nations were warning citizens not to visit Spain after some of its most beloved summer venues turned into coronavirus hot spots facing renewed pandemic lockdowns.

The northeast regions of Catalonia and Aragón host the three most alarming virus clusters in Spain, prompting authorities to tighten restrictions in Barcelona, in a rural area around Lleida and in Zaragoza that were relaxed only a month ago when Spain had its devastating outbreak in check.

Facing the reality that travel restrictions would force meetings online, Vietnam postponed next week's hosting...