In Latin America, where there are 819 cases of coronavirus contamination and seven deaths, prompt action is being taken to control the spread of Covid-19. "I made the decision to close, from midnight, all the land, sea and river borders of the country, from March 17, 2020 until May 30," tweeted the President of Colombia, Ivan Duque. In Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro declared on radio and television: "From tomorrow Tuesday (...), Venezuela will enter into total quarantine". The head of state said that this "drastic measure necessary" would apply to "the whole country".
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In Colombia, which has 57 cases of coronavirus and no deaths, the measure will concern "all national and foreign citizens", even if "the transport of goods for the entry and exit of products by authorized land points" will be permitted , said Ivan Duque. In addition to border controls, the authorities have decided to close bars and nightclubs, and to ban gatherings of more than 50 people.
33 people infected in Venezuela
In Venezuela, where the virus has infected 33 people so far, the president has decided to suspend professional activities, except those related to food distribution, police and military security, as well as health services and transport.
Police and soldiers were deployed in numbers as of Monday with a partial quarantine that began that day in Caracas and in six states, in addition to the ban on assembling in public places. National quarantine comes after the suspension of courses at all levels and the ban on the arrival in Venezuela of flights from Europe, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and Panama.