© REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
Temporary flight restrictions will go into effect starting March 16, said the government's center for combating the spread of the infection.
However, regular flights to capitals of EU member nations, as well as Oslo and Geneva, will continue through Terminal F of Moscow's Sheremetyevo international airport. Charter flights bringing Russians back to the homeland and repatriating the nationals of other countries will continue as well.
The announcement comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Europe has become the new center of the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic, with more cases reported daily than at the peak of the contagion in China, where the virus reportedly originated in December last year.
Russia has already temporarily banned entry to almost anyone coming from Italy as of Friday, as tourists who recently traveled to that country - currently the hardest-hit EU member - account for the majority of cases registered in Russia so far.
Comment: Russia has only 59 cases (most had travelled to Italy), no deaths. Guatemala has barred travel from the U.S. and Canada. While the country only confirmed its first case on Friday, they are worried particularly about the flow of deportations from the U.S. following the deal struck last year to take back migrants from El Salvador and Honduras (we'll see whether or not the U.S. slows down the deportations - unlikely for now!).
After yesterday's false report about Brazilian President Bolsonaro catching covid, the White House has confirmed that Trump did share a table with another Brazilian envoy who has tested positive (their third official to test positive after their visit to the U.S.). Trump confirmed today that he did get tested after his press conference yesterday. His physician had said the contacts didn't require self-quarantine or a test, but Trump said he'd take the test anyway - he'd never hear the end of it if he didn't. Results should be back in a day or two.
The World Travel and Tourism Council is warning that up to 50 million tourism jobs could be lost as a result of the virus and measures taken in response. The travel sector could shrink by up to 25%. Apple has shut down all its stores outside Greater China. The Pentagon is struggling to get employees to work from home. In Iran, another 97 people died in the past day.
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