Asian stock markets sank Friday after some European countries tightened curbs on travel and business following a surge in coronavirus infections and South Africa reported a new variant.
Shanghai Tokyo Hong Kong and Sydney declined. U.S. markets were closed Thursday for a holiday.
Austria imposed a nationwide 10-day lockdown after its daily virus deaths tripled, while Italy imposed curbs on activity by unvaccinated people. The U.S. government advised Americans to avoid Germany and Denmark. Scientists in South Africa said a new variant was spreading among young people in its most populous province.
“Investors are likely to shoot first and ask questions later until more is known,” Jeffrey Halley of Oanda said in a report.
The Shanghai Composite Index lost 0.5% to 3,566.18 and the Nikkei 225 in Tokyo plunged by an unusually wide 2.6% margin to 28,746.20. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong tumbled 2.1% to 24,213.55.
The Kospi in Seoul lost 1.3% to 2,941.81 and Sydney’s S&P-ASX 200 fell 1.7% to 7,282.50.
India’s Sensex opened down 1.8% at 57,752.68. New Zealand and Southeast Asian markets also…
