Coronavirus: state of the world on March 15, 2020

Text by: RFI Follow

The pandemic of the new coronavirus has killed more than 2,000 people in Europe, with 368 deaths in 24 hours in Italy, according to a report established by Agence France Presse. At the same time, measures to restrict movement are increasing everywhere in Europe.

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In France , the balance rose to 120 dead and 5,400 cases while the government decided Sunday to drastically reduce long-distance transport , in order to limit the spread of the coronavirus, with rail traffic soon to be halved and only "a few flights " remaining internationals, affirmed the Minister of Ecological Transition, Elisabeth Borne. Courts will be closed in France except for " essential litigation " announces the Keeper of the Seals, Nicole Belloubet.

The Minister of Economy and Finance, Bruno Le Maire, announces a new " series of additional measures " scheduled for Monday when the pandemic is expected to cost the government tens of billions of euros in aid to economic players.

This Sunday, March 15, the French largely shunned the municipal elections maintained by them despite the restrictive measures. Abstention is estimated between 54 and 56% according to two polling institutes, a very strong increase compared to the previous poll of 2014. The Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, said that the experts will be polled " probably Tuesday " on the opportunity for a 2nd round. Édouard Philippe is officially at stage 3 of the epidemic this Saturday, March 14, and has closed its restaurants, bars, nightclubs and cinemas. Schools and universities will close on Monday March 16.

Containment and closed borders in Europe

Spain , the second most affected country in Europe, where Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's wife tested positive, decided to quarantine almost completely and declared a state of alert for a fortnight. Greece will not allow more than one person per 10 m² in supermarkets as of Monday as the country's police arrested 96 people who did not follow the measures to curb the spread of the virus.

Following French measures, the Netherlands will close schools, bars and restaurants. Certain German regions will also imitate these measures on bars and restaurants, like Luxembourg . The Irish government asked Sunday pubs across the country to close their doors in the evening for at least two weeks. The Croatian government has decided to raise the level of defense against the virus to level 3 on a scale of five, according to Minister of Health Vili Baros.

Italy counted this Sunday March 15, 368 new deaths related to the coronavirus. The country now records 1,809 deaths for 24,747 cases. Authorities in Lombardy, the region hardest hit in Italy by the coronavirus pandemic, are now worried aloud about the capacity of their hospital system to absorb the influx of patients. “ The numbers continue to rise. We will soon arrive when we will have no more beds in intensive care, ”warned Sunday Attilio Fontana, Governor League of Northern Lombardy.

► Read also: Coronavirus: in the Vatican, an Easter without pilgrims in preparation

Several German regions have taken similar measures, as has Monaco . Germany has at the same time decided to close from Monday March 16 the country's borders with France, Switzerland and Austria in an attempt to curb the spread of the coronavirus epidemic according to the daily Bild . France just indicates reinforced control measures on its border with Germany. For their part, Estonia and Lithuania have announced the closure of their borders to foreigners, with a few exceptions. Latvia has taken restrictive measures.

In the United Kingdom, the government is considering containment measures only for those over the age of 70, while the death toll has more than doubled to 35. An action plan could be released Tuesday, March 17. According to the British press, he plans in particular to close pubs and restaurants or even schools, measures already in place across Europe.

The European Union announced on Sunday that it is restricting exports of masks and other protective medical equipment in order to secure its own supply in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic.

In Africa, new countries affected

Since Saturday evening, the Central African Republic , the Seychelles and the Congo have diagnosed their first cases. Kenya , where three cases of coronavirus have been officially detected, announced Sunday the closure of its borders, except for its citizens and foreign residents, who will have to undergo self-containment. South Africa followed suit by announcing the closure of borders to all citizens of the countries most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, while the number of cases on its territory has doubled since Friday.

In Asia, quarantine for travelers

New Zealand prohibits the disembarkation of cruise lines. China will place travelers from abroad in quarantine centers. In Australia , people arriving from abroad will have to place themselves in solitary confinement for fourteen days. In the Philippines , armed police blocked road access to the capital. Domestic flights to and from Manila are canceled.

Latin America barricades itself

In Venezuela , in a state of alert, around 40 are required for travelers from Europe. In Bolivia , direct flights with Europe are suspended until the end of March and travelers are prohibited from entering the territory for travelers from the most affected countries. Ecuador will close its borders to foreigners on Monday. Panama prohibits flights from Europe and Asia. Canada invites its citizens currently abroad to return as long as they can.

► Find here our information on the state of the pandemic on March 14, 2020

Our selection on SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

• Explanation: Why the WHO declares the Covid-19 epidemic a pandemic
• An infographic: The coronavirus in 7 points

• Practical questions:
→ Who are the vulnerable people ?
→ What should you do when you think you are contaminated ?
→ Quarantine, what are we talking about ?
→ What treatments ?

Find all our articles, reports, chronicles and programs on the coronavirus by clicking here .

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