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HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD, FACTS
Coronavirus: latest global developments
PARIS, March 17, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the
coronavirus crisis:
– Confinement –
In France people can only carry out essential travel from midday Tuesday
and for at least the next 15 days.
German citizens are told to “stay at home”, while Britons have to avoid
“non-essential contact” and travel.
In Russia schools will be closed from March 21. Ukraine is closing its
public places.
– Borders closed –
The outer borders of the 27-nation European Union and its Schengen
passport free zone are closed for 30 days.
Elsewhere, Canada closes its frontiers to foreigners except for Americans
and Chile and Colombia close all their land, maritime and air crossings.
Tunisia closes its air and land borders.
– State of emergency –
Switzerland, Armenia and Kazakhstan declare states of emergency.
Israel takes an emergency measure mandating its internal security agency
to collect information about citizens to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
– Nationalisations –
The Italian government says it will nationalise struggling airline
Alitalia.
France, which expects growth to shrink by one percent in 2020, announces
45-million-euros in aid for businesses, and does not rule out
nationalisations.
– Factories closed –
French car makers Renault and PSA as well as tyre maker Michelin
temporarily close down their factories.
German carmaker Volkswagen will close most of its factories in Europe for
two to three weeks. European plane maker Airbus suspends production for four
days in France and Spain.
– Global toll tops 7,400 –
Since the virus first emerged in late December, 7,408 people have died
around the world, according to an AFP tally based on official sources.
The worst affected countries are mainland China, with 3,226 deaths, out of
80,881 cases, of whom 68,869 have been cured. Italy follows with 2,158
deaths, 27,980 cases, Iran 988 deaths, 16,969 cases, Spain 491 deaths and
11,178 cases and France with 148 deaths and 6,633 cases.
– Lourdes closed –
The shrine at Lourdes in southwestern France, visited by millions of
Catholic pilgrims from around the world, closes its doors for the first time
in its history.
– Elections postponed –
The second round of French municipal elections set for March 22 are
postponed, while the US state of Ohio delays at the last minute the
Democratic primary.
– Government in quarantine –
The Polish government is placed in quarantine a day after the environment
minister tested positive and pending the results of tests on other members of
the governing team.
– Transport disrupted –
Britain grounds most of its air fleet.
German airline Lufthansa says it will slash up to 90 percent of its long-
haul capacity as does Australia’s Qantas, which also reduces its domestic
links.
Austrian company Austrian Airlines suspends all its regular flights.
Egypt closes its airports from Thursday while Algeria suspends all air
links with European countries.
In Ukraine, from Wednesday metro and interregional transport and
interurban car, train and plane travel will be halted.
BSS/AFP/IJ/1946 hrs