Closed airports, containment measures … the world is organizing in the face of the pandemic

An employee sprays disinfectant in the public spaces of the Rialto Bridge in Venice on March 11, 2020.
An employee sprays disinfectant in the public spaces of the Rialto Bridge in Venice on March 11, 2020. MARCO SABADIN / AFP

Now classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Covid-19 disrupts the daily life of affected populations every day, from limiting travel to cascading closures of public places or restrictions on the number of people that can come together.

According to Johns Hopkins University, there are currently 126,660 confirmed cases of Covid-19 worldwide.

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, announced on Wednesday the suspension for 30 days from Friday of all foreigners' trips from Europe to the United States to stem the epidemic due to the coronavirus, which has killed 38 people and more than 1,200 cases of contamination in the country. This new measure will take effect at midnight Friday (5 a.m. in Paris). It applies to the Schengen area and does not concern the United Kingdom, said the republican billionaire.

The presidents of the European Commission and the Council said on Thursday that they disapproved of the "Decision" taken by Donald Trump "Unilaterally and without consultation".

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  • Spain: death toll rises to 84 and nearly 3,000 cases

The entire Spanish government underwent a SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus test on Thursday after a minister was found to be infected. Nearly 3,000 cases have been reported in the country and the epidemic has left 84 dead, according to the latest report from the Ministry of Health.

  • Central Europe barricades itself

TheAustria was the first to barricade itself, re-introducing systematic checks on its southern borders on Wednesday. Italians can only pass if they can present a negative test less than four days old. Austria, which has a number of cases per resident comparable to France, will also close all of its schools next week.

In the process, in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced a state of emergency and a ban on Italians entering the country. As in Slovakia neighbor, all universities in the country have been closed.

The Czech republic in turn, will close its borders with Germany and Austria on Friday, leaving only eleven crossing points open, with health checks. These three countries have significantly fewer cases per capita than in France. All public events involving more than 100 people have been banned.

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  • Algeria, Greece mourn first deaths

The Greece announced on Thursday its first death from the new coronavirus, a sixty-something Greek man who traveled to Israel in late February. he "Suffered from underlying diseases" and a "Experienced a significant deterioration which has evolved into polyorganic insufficiency"added the ministry.

TheAlgeria recorded its first death from the new coronavirus, the Algerian health ministry announced on Thursday. The press release from the ministry gives no details on this death.

  • Italy, Denmark, Ireland and Sri Lanka close their schools

TheItaly, the only country entirely confined due to the coronavirus epidemic, is further strengthening its drastic measures. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced Wednesday evening that businesses on the Peninsula will be closed except for those in the food and health sectors. On Thursday morning, it was also announced that Rome's Ciampino airport, which mainly hosts low-cost airlines, will close from Friday. That of Fiumicino, which mainly hosts international flights, will see its activity reduced from Tuesday. Italy is the most affected country in Europe by the coronavirus epidemic, with 827 dead and more than 12,000 cases, according to a report dated Wednesday evening.

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For its part, the Danish Prime Minister announced Thursday morning the " closing " of Denmark from Monday. All administrations, all schools, universities will be closed for at least two weeks. All officials not in critical positions are requested to stay at home. Private workers who can work at home must stay at home. Gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited. Denmark will also cut air travel to areas hardest hit by the new coronavirus and on Tuesday recommended avoiding rush hour public transport to counter the spread of the virus. The number of confirmed infected had doubled in one day yesterday, reaching 500 cases, including two in critical condition.

The Sri Lanka Thursday ordered the closure of its schools, anticipating school holidays by three weeks, in response to a panic caused by rumors about the pandemic. Same in Ireland where all schools, universities and cultural institutions will be closed from Friday until March 29, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced Thursday.

Our selection of articles on the coronavirus

The World with AFP

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