Chinese province ups restrictions amid outbreak; country gears up for holiday exodus

A man wearing a face mask to help curb the spread of the coronavirus shakes a toy box at the Chinese toy maker POP Mart in Beijing, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. China eked out 2.3% economic growth in 2020, likely becoming the only major economy to expand as shops and factories reopened relatively early from a shutdown to fight the coronavirus while the United States, Japan and Europe struggled with disease flare-ups. - AP

BEIJING, Jan 18 (Agencies): A Chinese province grappling with a spike in coronavirus cases is reinstating tight restrictions on weddings, funerals and other family gatherings, threatening violators with criminal charges.

The notice from the high court in Hebei province did not give specifics, but said all types of social gatherings were now being regulated to prevent further spread of the virus, reported AP.