Coronavirus: Malta bans travel from 4 more European countries

Coronavirus: Malta bans travel from 4 more European countries

Traveller
Valletta, March 11, 2020 (Reuters/NAN) Malta on Wednesday banned travel with Germany, France, Spain and Switzerland to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Robert Abela said.

The small Mediterranean island imposed similar restrictions on travel from Italy on Monday.

“The decision has been taken on the advice of the medical authorities because of the sharp increase in the spread of the virus,” Abela told a news conference.

He said the travel ban would come into force at midnight on Wednesday.

People who arrived in Malta from Italy and the other countries before the ban would have to observe mandatory quarantine.

According to the report, the police make spot checks and anyone failing to follow orders will face a 1,000 Euro (1,131 dollars) fine.

Malta has so far had six confirmed virus cases, all involving people who had visited Italy; however, no local spread has been reported.

However, no fatalities have been reported. (Reuters/NAN)

ACO/AFA

Edited by Abiodun Oluleye/Felix Ajide

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