Jul 25, 2020 - Health

Massachusetts to fine travelers if they violate COVID-19 restrictions

Photo: Angela Rowlings/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker issued new travel restrictions Friday, in which returning residents and non-residents could be fined up to $500 a day for failing to comply starting Aug. 1.

The big picture: States including New York are limiting travel from neighboring hot spots to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.

Details: Travelers must complete a form before arriving in Massachusetts if coming from areas deemed at-risk. Individuals from low-risk states are exempt. Travelers can also quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to arrival in the state.

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Axios

Updated 11 hours ago - Health

World coronavirus updates

Data: The Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins; Map: Axios Visuals

The number of COVID-19 cases surpassed 20 million worldwide on Monday evening, Johns Hopkins data shows.

The big picture: World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference as the world approached the milestone that 750,000 deaths were set to be recorded this week. "Every life lost matters," he said. "But I want to be clear: there are green shoots of hope and... it's never too late to turn the outbreak around."

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Rashaan Ayesh

17 hours ago - Health

Europe's CDC recommends new virus restrictions amid "true resurgence in cases"

Revellers enjoy an informal Bal des Pompiers next to the fire station at Point Éphémère on July 13, 2020 in Paris. Photo: Kiran Ridley/Getty Images

The European Centre of Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned on Monday that the continent is seeing a "true resurgence" in coronavirus cases and recommended that affected countries consider reimposing certain restrictions.

Why it matters: Many European countries, including former global hotspots Italy and Spain, were able to successfully curb the spread of COVID-19 over the summer through stringent lockdown restrictions and a phased reopening. The ECDC warned that the "recent increase" in infections is a result of countries relaxing their social distancing and other mitigation measures.

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Orion Rummler

9 hours ago - Health

Georgia governor: It's up to schools to enforce wearing masks

Gov. Brian Kemp at a press conference on Aug. 10. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday said the responsibility should be on schools to enforce a mandate on face coverings, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports.

Why it matters: Georgia is reporting the fifth-most coronavirus cases in the country, per Johns Hopkins, and the risk of spread in the state is high.