Overseas COVID moves

ACROSS the world many public spaces and tourism attractions have been closed and entry restrictions have been imposed in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Europe, declared as the new epicentre of the virus, has been the most affected.

Over the weekend France ordered the closure of nonessential public venues and travel to certain areas has been limited, while the Spanish Government made a similar move, announcing a state of alarm.

This includes a ban on movement throughout Spain, with residents ordered to stay home except to buy food and medicine or travel to work, health centres or banks and a reduction in all public transport services across the country.

The move follows Italy’s measures, with the country remaining in lockdown until 03 Apr (TD 10 Mar).

Poland has locked out all foreigners from entering the country at least until 24 Mar, while Denmark has closed its borders until 13 Apr.

Germany will today impose temporary controls on its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark and Luxembourg and has closed public institutions, schools and universities and reduced its public transport services in Berlin.

Travel restrictions are in place in Switzerland, with authorities refusing entry to non-Swiss citizens or foreigners without a residency or work permit who are travelling from a high-risk region.

Some public and private venues have also been directed to close and restrictions are in place on public and private gatherings of more than 100.

Ireland has closed museums, galleries and tourism sites and indoor gatherings of more than 100 have been banned, along with outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people.

Portugal has limited arrivals, including to airports and Malta is requiring arrivals from any country to be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

From today, the Czech Republic has banned entry for all tourists and all international bus and rail services now cease at the Czech border.

Nepal has also closed its land borders to foreign nationals and suspended all mountaineering permits, including for Mt. Everest, for the 2020 spring season (March through May).

In Sri Lanka the government has declared today a public holiday “to support quarantine process on coronavirus”, with the public holiday to be extended, if necessary.

Colombia is also putting into place a 14-day isolation period, with travellers who do not comply to be deported.