PARIS, March 22, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the
coronavirus crisis:
– Stay home –
Across the globe an estimated 900 million people are confined to their
homes, according to an AFP tally.
The majority are hemmed in by obligatory government lockdown orders while
others are under curfew, in quarantine or following advice not to leave their
homes.
In the US more than a third of the population are adjusting to life in
various phases of lockdown. Britain urges 1.5 million people most at risk
from the virus to stay home.
Iraq declares a curfew across the country.
– Latin America and Africa –
A host of countries across Latin America have started obligatory
confinement — Venezuela, Argentina, El Salvador and Bolivia. On Tuesday
Colombia will do the same.
In Brazil the state of Sao Paulo as of Tuesday will be under 15-day
quarantine.
In Africa, Tunisia and Rwanda start nationwide confinement.
– More than 13,000 dead –
At least 13,444 deaths have been recorded since the virus first emerged in
December, according to an AFP tally compiled at 1200 GMT on Sunday based on
official sources.
There have been more than 308,130 infections reported in 170 countries and
territories.
Italy has recorded 4,825 deaths out of 53,578 cases, with more than 6,000
recoveries.
China has 81,054 cases, including 3,261 fatalities and 72,244 people
recovered.
The worst affected countries after Italy and China are Spain with 1,720
deaths, Iran with 1,685 deaths, France with 562 deaths, and the US with 340
deaths.
– Toughening measures –
Italy stops all non-essential production to guarantee the supply of
essential goods, and tightens the rules of confinement with the closure of
all its green spaces.
Australia, having already shut its borders to foreigners and non-residents,
tells citizens to cancel their domestic travel plans.
In France more traffic restrictions are imposed and curfews are issued in
several southern cities.
In Thailand the government steps up its efforts, shuttering most public
spaces, from shopping malls and beauty parlours to golf courses and swimming
pools.
Millions of Indians go into lockdown as the country experiments with a
curfew.
Nigeria, the most populated country in Africa with 200 million people,
tightens its rules, restricting religious and social gatherings in some
places to 50 people.
– Shutting more borders –
The Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso close their borders this weekend, as do
Rwanda and the Republic of Congo.
Brazil will shut its borders as of Monday to all visitors from Europe,
Australia and several Asian countries.
Cuba will close its borders to non-residents on Tuesday.
Romania bars most foreigners from entering the country.