Austria closing schools over coronavirus as border checks take effect
Austria said on Wednesday it would close schools from next week until April, widening measures aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus that have already sharply curtailed public gatherings and crossings of its border with Italy.
Swedish Foreign Ministry advises against travel to Tyrol region of Austria
Sweden’s foreign ministry on Wednesday advised its citizens to avoid traveling to the Tyrol region of Austria as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Iraqi semi-autonomous Kurdistan region bans New year festivals due to coronavirus
Iraqi semi-autonomous Kurdistan region has banned the Nowruz New Year festivals due later this month due to coronavirus fears, a statement said on Wednesday.
British nationals from virus-stricken Grand Princess ship fly home
British passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship, which was stranded off the Californian coast for days due to an outbreak of coronavirus on board, are now on a U.S. flight back to Britain, the British government said on Wednesday.
Guatemala bans entry of European citizens to keep out coronavirus
Guatemalan Health Minister Hugo Monroy said on Wednesday that the country will ban the entry of European citizens in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
WHO says coronavirus is a pandemic, UK and Italy announce big war chests to fight it
The World Health Organization said for the first time on Wednesday that it now sees the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic.
Italy to ramp up spending on coronavirus as death toll soars to 827
Italy will ramp up spending to soften the blow from coronavirus and could restrict movement further to slow its spread, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Wednesday, as the death toll jumped by 196 in 24 hours to 827.
Green Party’s national government call complicates Irish talks
Ireland’s Green Party called on all parties to suspend talks on forming a new administration on Wednesday and instead build a temporary national government across parliament, complicating negotiations following an inconclusive Feb. 8 election.
World Health Organization describes coronavirus outbreak as pandemic
The World Health Organization is describing the new coronavirus as a pandemic, it said on Wednesday, adding that Italy and Iran were now in the frontline of the disease and other countries would soon join them.
Slovenia closes some Italy border crossings, performs coronavirus checks at others
Slovenia closed some border crossings with Italy on Wednesday afternoon and started making health checks at those remaining open in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the health minister said.
