The Delta dilemma: How the Covid-19 variant is disrupting the world's reopening plans

Guards outside a cafe closed due to curbs to halt the spread of Covid-19 in Hanoi, Vietnam on July 12, 2021. - AFP

SINGAPORE, Aug 7 (The Straits Times/ANN): The Delta variant of the coronavirus has played havoc with governments' plans to return life to some sense of normality.

Fresh outbreaks fuelled by the highly infectious strain have forced major cities in China, Australia, the Philippines and elsewhere back into lockdown and spurred the authorities, particularly in Asia, to reimpose harsh restrictions as low vaccination rates leave people vulnerable to Covid-19.