Europe on Alert as COVID-19 Spreads... Surge in Extreme Measures Like Border Closures

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) rapidly spreads in Italy, on the 27th of last month (local time), a medical official is seen coming out of a Civil Protection Agency tent set up near the emergency room of a hospital in Piacenza, northern Italy. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) accelerates in Europe, countries are issuing drastic measures one after another. They are declaring states of emergency, closing borders, and shutting down major tourist sites, using every possible means to contain the situation.

Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of Spain, announced a state of emergency for two weeks starting from the 14th and plans to mobilize all available resources, including the military, to curb the spread of COVID-19. It is expected that the number of confirmed domestic cases will exceed 10,000 next week.

Denmark decided to close its borders for one month starting today. However, exceptions will be made for Danish citizens or those working in Denmark to allow the supply of food and medicine.

Russia has restricted flights with the 27 European Union (EU) member countries, Switzerland, and Norway. However, regular flights between Moscow and the capitals of each EU member country remain exempt.

Hungary added Israel to the list of countries banned from entry, which already included China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea.

Poland will ban foreign nationals from entering starting the 15th and will quarantine its own citizens for two weeks upon entry. Flights and train services entering Poland will be suspended except for some exceptions. It is effectively entering a self-lockdown. Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki stated at a press conference, "Under the current circumstances, we cannot open the borders to foreigners."

As of 7 p.m. on the 13th, France, which has reported 3,661 confirmed cases (including 79 deaths), has banned all events with more than 100 people.

Paris’s iconic landmarks, the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower, will be closed indefinitely until the situation improves.

The United Kingdom decided to postpone the local elections in England scheduled for the 7th of next month by one year. All professional football matches, including the Premier League (EPL), Championship League, and the Football Association (FA) Women's Super League, have been suspended until the 3rd of next month. Queen Elizabeth also canceled her local engagements scheduled for next week, and Prince Charles and the Duchess canceled their planned overseas visits. The number of confirmed cases is increasing rapidly, with more than 200 new cases reported in a single day. As of 9 a.m. on the 13th, the UK has 798 confirmed cases (including 11 deaths).

In Germany, where infections are rapidly increasing, school closures have begun in earnest. Out of the 16 federal states, 12, including Berlin, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-W?rttemberg, have decided to close schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers temporarily.

In the capital Berlin, most theaters, concert halls, and museums have suspended operations, and the Christian Democratic Union’s party congress scheduled for the 25th of next month to elect the party leader has been postponed.

Currently, Germany has 3,481 confirmed cases (including 8 deaths).

Greece abruptly canceled the 2020 Tokyo Olympic torch relay schedule. This measure was taken after hundreds of spectators gathered in western Sparta despite recommendations to stay home.

Following the ban on gatherings of more than 100 people announced the previous day, the Netherlands closed major tourist attractions such as the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, and Anne Frank House.

Hungary issued a school closure order and decided to conduct remote classes via the internet. Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, "The school closures may last not just weeks but months."

Poland has ordered shopping malls, restaurants, and pubs to close and banned gatherings of more than 50 people, which has also led to Catholic worship services being held with limited attendance.

In Cyprus, all educational institutions will be closed until the 10th of next month.

Meanwhile, Italy, which has the second most severe COVID-19 situation in the world after China, reported more than 200 new deaths in a single day. As of 6 p.m. on the 13th (local time), Italy’s cumulative confirmed cases reached 17,660, a 16.8% increase from the previous day. Deaths increased by 250 to a provisional total of 1,266. This is the first time that Italy has recorded more than 200 deaths in a single day due to COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.