Which countries have implemented measures to close cities and suspend flights?

New coronavirus pneumonia is very contagious, and the pathogen of the epidemic has not yet been found. At present, in addition to China, different countries and cities have also experienced outbreaks of new coronavirus pneumonia. Several countries have also taken the same measures as China to close cities, suspend flights, and suspend the development of tourism.

Japan and South Korea

Recently, the number of confirmed cases of new coronavirus infection in Japan and South Korea has continued to rise, reaching 838 and 602 cases respectively. Among them, the number of confirmed cases in South Korea has increased significantly.

On the 23rd, the South Korean government raised the COVID-19 epidemic warning to the highest "severe" level. According to the latest report from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of 16:00 on the 23rd, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in South Korea has climbed to 602, including a total of 5 deaths.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in announced on the afternoon of the 23rd that the government, based on the advice of infectious disease experts, decided to raise the COVID-19 infectious disease crisis warning level to the highest "severe" level and significantly strengthen the epidemic prevention response system. Moon Jae-in said that the new crown epidemic situation in South Korea is now facing a "major watershed" and the next few days will be an important juncture. The government must take "unprecedented and strong response measures." The Ministry of Education of South Korea announced on the afternoon of the 23rd that the opening of kindergartens, primary and secondary schools and other schools nationwide in South Korea will be postponed for one week to March 9.

Israel

On the 21st, relevant Israeli authorities issued a statement saying that its first confirmed patient with new coronavirus pneumonia was an Israeli citizen who was a passenger on the "Diamond Princess" cruise ship. The passengers, after being quarantined and inspected, flew back to Israel from Japan. In addition, the occurrence of confirmed cases in a Korean tour group returning from Israel has also attracted the attention of Israel.

On the 22nd, Israel announced that it would ban all flights from Japan and South Korea. On that day, a passenger plane arrived in Israel from South Korea, but Israel refused to let about 200 non-Israeli passengers off the plane. The country's Ministry of Health said the move was part of measures to combat the novel coronavirus. After the 12 Israeli passengers were picked up by ambulance, the airliner was asked to return to South Korea.

Subsequently, the Israeli Ministry of Health announced that it has expanded restrictions on the entry of foreigners. Anyone who has been to South Korea and Japan in the past 14 days will be restricted. Regarding Israel's measures, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret on the 23rd that the Israeli government suddenly announced a comprehensive ban on entry of Korean citizens the day before.

Italy

In Italy, as of the 24th local time, a total of 215 cases of new coronavirus pneumonia have been confirmed in Italy, and a total of 4 deaths have been reported. The Lombardy and Veneto regions in northern Italy are currently the most severely affected areas in Italy. "The streets are silent and the shop doors are locked." A reporter described the current epidemic situation in Codogno, Lombardy. Described as the "Wuhan of Europe".

Similar to China, "closing the city" has become a necessary method to fight the virus and reduce interpersonal infection. According to the BBC, in order to control the epidemic, starting from February 23, the Italian government has blocked 11 towns in the country, including 10 towns in Lombardy and 1 town in Veneto. All schools, churches, Gyms and other public facilities will be closed for one week.

In Lombardy, about 50,000 residents were told to stay at home and transportation was restricted. Production, public gatherings and teaching activities have been suspended in these areas. In Milan, the capital of Lombardy, the mayor has ordered the closure of all public offices.

Iran

After the first death from COVID-19, the Kom government in Iran ordered the closure of local schools, theaters and sports venues at all levels for a week. All religious activities are prohibited.

On the 20th, Iraq announced that the border gates would be closed to Iran for three days and called on the public not to travel to Iran. Iraqi Airways also announced the suspension of flights to Iran. The Associated Press quoted Iran's Irna News Agency as reporting that 50 people have died of pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus in the country's holy city of Qom from February 13 to today.

In addition, four of Iran’s neighboring countries, including Turkey, Pakistan, Armenia and Afghanistan, announced on the 23rd that they would close their land borders with Iran, and some of them also restricted air traffic with Iran. Jordan also banned the entry of non-Jordanians from Iran on the same day. Earlier, Iraq announced that it would close its ports on the border with Iran and ban Iranian travelers from entering. Iraqi airlines suspended flights to Iran. Kuwait also suspended all flights to Iran.