ZCZC
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HEALTH-VIRUS-POLAND-CZECH
Poland bans domestic flights, warns of virus spread
WARSAW, March 16, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Poland on Monday suspended all domestic
flights as part of sweeping measures to try and halt the spread of the new
coronavirus.
The measure comes after the EU country banned entry for foreigners and
suspended international flights from Saturday.
Poland has so far registered 150 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus,
including three deaths.
The ban on domestic flights came as the health minister warned the country
could see a spike in cases of the coronavirus, which is sweeping across
Europe.
“We expect to reach 1,000 cases this week,” Lukasz Szumowski said, urging
Poles to limit their activities outside the home.
The domestic flight ban was confirmed by the prime minister’s office, who
said the measure would be in place until further notice.
City streets across Poland were deserted as citizens worked from home and
school universities and most shops were closed.
Only grocery stores, pharmacies and laundry services remained open as
Poland imposed unprecedented containment measures, in line with other
European nations.
Some 30,000 people have been placed in mandatory 14-day quarantine in
Poland, including those who have returned from overseas or who have showed
symptoms of COVID-19.
Boy scouts, girl guides and ordinary citizens are helping housebound
neighbours by doing their shopping or running essential errands.
In neighbouring Czech Republic, several towns were put under complete
lockdown after the country confirmed nearly 300 cases, while in the capital
Prague, passengers were banned from public transport unless they wore face
masks.
The Czech Republic has already closed its borders to foreigners and shut
restaurants, pubs and cafes.
It said it did not have enough protective gear to cope with an outbreak,
and has sent a special military plane to China to collect coronavirus test
kits, the defence ministry said Monday.
BSS/AFP/RY/20:06 hrs