Coronavirus: Bratislava and Prague close their borders

Text by: RFI Follow

The Czech and Slovak governments announced Thursday, March 12, the almost total closure of borders to foreigners, to protect themselves from the coronavirus. Estonia and Latvia declare a state of emergency. Poland has health checks at all borders.

Publicity

►With 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus, Slovakia barricades itself

In Slovakia, the crisis team devoted to the epidemic met at the Ministry of the Interior to announce new measures. The borders will be controlled, the entry of foreigners prohibited and international trade suspended.

" No foreign citizen will be allowed to enter Slovakia " from Friday morning at 7 a.m. local time (6 a.m. UT), spokesman for the Slovak Interior Ministry, Peter Lazarov, told AFP.

Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini warned Wednesday evening: " We do not want to wait until the situation gets worse ". To stop the contagion, Bratislava therefore takes the example of Italy by deploying a whole series of measures on Friday morning.

The country's three international airports are closed to passengers, but not to the transportation of goods. International trains are also suspended, national lines idling.

Only foreigners with a residence permit can enter the country, with the exception of Poles, who will be able to move freely. All, as well as Slovaks returning from abroad, must remain in solitary confinement for 14 days.

According to The Slovak Spectator, the authorities have announced that they will make accommodation available to people who do not want to expose their families during this time. Conversely, the government is considering with travel agencies the cancellation of departures abroad.

The hotels and restaurants remain open but the educational establishments, public cultural, sporting and recreational places are closed for 14 days. No shopping either this weekend because the shopping centers will keep doors closed. Finally, the administrative services will only be open to the public for three hours a day.

►Prague declares a 30-day state of emergency

The neighboring Czech Republic, where more than a hundred contaminations were confirmed Thursday evening, declared a 30-day state of emergency, closing its borders to travelers coming from "risk zones", ie fifteen countries: Germany, France, United Kingdom, China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

As of Saturday March 14, Prague will ban buses, trains and boats from carrying passengers across its borders, except for residents of the Czech Republic and foreigners returning to their country. Only eleven crossing points will remain open at the borders with Germany and Austria.

" We have also prohibited Czech citizens from entering these risk areas ," Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis told reporters.

►Estonia introduces state of emergency until May 1

In Estonia, all schools and universities must switch to distance education, museums and cinemas will be closed, public rallies and sporting events canceled, and health checks introduced at borders. Sea passenger transport between Tallinn and Stockholm will be suspended, while visits to hospitals, hospices and prisons will be prohibited.

►Poland imposes health checks at border posts

In Poland, as in the Czech, Slovak and Baltic neighbors, educational establishments have been temporarily closed, and public gatherings, sporting and cultural events have been banned or severely restricted. Warsaw has implemented health checks at all borders. Closures or restrictions affect theaters, cinemas, concert and sports halls, swimming pools, clubs and libraries.

► Also in Latvia the government has declared a month-long state of emergency, which allows it to introduce this type of restriction.

With AFP

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Download the app

• Slovakia
• Coronavirus
• Health and Medicine