WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Oi prices fell sharply on Friday as fresh lockdowns across Europe and signs of new outbreaks in China revived worries about fuel demand.
Benchmark Brent crude fell 1.8 percent to $55.38 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 1.5 percent at $52.77.
Germany, Europe's biggest economy, today passed two million coronavirus cases as countries tighten restrictions to curb the spread of new, more contagious strains of the disease.
Portugal imposed a new nationwide lockdown while Britain requires negative tests for entry. Fresh curbs on populations were announced from Brazil to Lebanon. Amid fears of surging cases, Germany is considering a 'mega-lockdown'.
France is introducing tougher restrictions for anyone entering the country from outside the EU.
Elsewhere, China has put millions of people in lockdown in response to new outbreaks of Covid-19 in the north and northeast.
Concerns over rising Sino-U.S. tensions also weighed on the commodity after the U.S. government blacklisted Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Corp and ten other companies over alleged military links.
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