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HEALTH-VIRUS-AUSTRIA
Austria shuts museums, suspends all trains to Italy
VIENNA, March 11, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Austria said Wednesday it will close
its national museums and suspend all remaining trains to neighbouring Italy
to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
The decision affects rail links from regions in western and southern
Austria which border Italy. All long-distance routes — notably overnight
trains to Rome, Milan and Venice — had already been cancelled.
The country announced on Tuesday the near closure of its land border
with its southern neighbour, now requiring a medical certificate for private
individuals arriving from Italy. Cargo transport is exempt.
Meanwhile, Vienna International Airport on Wednesday reported a 30
percent decline in passenger traffic so far in March compared with a year
ago.
National museum directors said their doors will be closed until March
31. The state opera and Musikverein, home to Vienna’s philharmonic orchestra,
said on Tuesday they would also cancel concerts until the end of March to
comply with the government ban on gatherings of more than 100 people in
closed spaces.
The Austrian National Library has also closed.
The country of more than eight million people has so far reported 206
confirmed cases of COVID-19 but no deaths.
BSS/AFP/IJ/1845 hrs