Hong Kong has reimposed social distancing measures at some of their strictest levels in the city since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, as authorities battle a fourth wave of infections, AFP reported.

The financial hub has maintained bans on large group gatherings for much of the year and has shuttered various industries when cases have spiked.

The measures have helped keep infections to just over 6,000 in the city of 7.5 million with 109 deaths. But daily cases have risen above 100 in recent days, prompting authorities to usher in stricter measures similar to those seen during earlier outbreaks.

“This new wave of Covid-19 has hit Hong Kong very quickly,” chief executive Carrie Lam told reporters, adding the new restrictions would take effect from Wednesday.