Hong Kong: Shares close sharply lower

[HONG KONG] Hong Kong stocks plunged Friday on fears about a new coronavirus variant that experts say could be more infectious and able to get around vaccines, with firms linked to travel and tourism among the worst hit.

The Hang Seng Index tanked 2.67 per cent or 659.64 points to 24,080.52.

The Shanghai Composite Index fell 0.56 per cent or 20.09 points to 3,564.09 while the Shenzhen Composite Index on China's second exchange slipped 0.20 per cent or 5.07 points to 2,507.15.

AFP