The World Health Organization does not consider border closure an effective way to combat the global covid-19 epidemic, but the truth is that as cases increase across the globe, more and more countries are choosing to do it. Even those, like Germany, who have always resisted him are now on the verge of decreeing it. The European Commission presents this Monday a set of rules to try to prevent that the border controls imposed with the objective of preventing the spread of the coronavirus do not block the circulation of essential goods and medical personnel.
Germany
The German Government has decided to close its land borders with France, Austria, Switzerland and Denmark as of Monday. The free movement of goods will continue and people will be able to cross borders for work reasons. Germany has a total of 5795 cases of covid-19, 1196 of which in the last 24 hours. 11 people have died.
Denmark
Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen, announced the closure of the country’s borders to all foreigners by 13 April. Only Danish citizens and anyone who has a residence permit can enter Denmark as long as the measure is in force. Denmark has 886 cases of coronavirus (28 in the past 24 hours) and two people have died.
Norway
Just over 48 hours after ordering drastic measures to combat the covid-19 epidemic, the Norwegian government announced the closure of the borders as of Monday. All Norwegian airports and ports will no longer allow foreigners without a residence permit to enter the country. Norway has 1,220 confirmed cases (111 in the past 24 hours) and three people have died.
Poland
The Polish borders are closed from this Sunday for 14 days, by decision of the Government. Residents will be able to enter the country and the transport of goods will not be affected. Poland has 119 cases (15 in the last 24 hours) and three deaths from covid-19.
Czech Republic
The Czech executive ordered the closure of the borders starting this Sunday. “From midnight on Sunday to Monday, all foreigners are prohibited from entering the Czech Republic and, at the same time, all Czech citizens from leaving Czech territory,” the interior minister announced on Friday Czech, Jan Hamacek. The Czech government declared a state of emergency for 30 days. The Czech Republic has 253 cases (64 in the past 24 hours) and no deaths.
Russia
The Russian Government decided this Saturday to close the borders with Norway and Poland. The measure was announced shortly after Norway experienced an exponential increase in the number of cases of infection, now exceeding more than a thousand. Russia has 63 cases (four more in the past 24 hours) and no deaths.
Canada
Justin Trudeau’s government says it does not rule out the possibility of ordering the closure of borders or forcing anyone arriving from abroad to remain in isolation. “We have taken some tough steps and nothing is off the table,” said Trudeau. Canada has 249 cases of infection and one death from covid-19.
Lebanon
The borders, whether aerial, sea or land, will close from Wednesday to combat the fight against the coronavirus, the Government announced. A state of emergency was declared until 29 March.
Kazakhstan
The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomar Tokayev, declared this Sunday the state of emergency in the country and announced the closure of all borders. It is a measure that follows the emergence of the first cases of covid-19 in the country. The borders will remain open to all Kazakh citizens who want to return, to diplomats and to those invited to visit the country by the Government. Kazakhstan has nine cases, representing an increase of three in the past 24 hours. No deaths have yet been reported.
Uzbekistan
Uzbek authorities on Sunday reported the first case of coronavirus. The test carried out by a Uzbek citizen who had just returned from France was positive and the Government wasted no time and advanced with drastic measures, similar to those that so many other countries have been carrying out. Schools and universities will be closed from Monday for three weeks, all public events have been banned and flights to countries in Western Europe, Asia and the Middle East have been canceled by the end of April. But the most drastic measure is, without a doubt, the closure of all national borders to foreigners. And it is preparing to suspend all international trains to the country. Uzbekistan has only one case.
Colombia
Colombian President Ivan Duque ordered the closure of the Colombian border with Venezuela. The two countries share a 2,200-kilometer border that is often crossed by hundreds of Venezuelans on a daily basis in search of better living conditions. The measure was criticized by Caracas. Colombia has 34 cases, representing an increase of ten in the last 24 hours, and no deaths.
Ecuador
The Ecuadorian Government announced this Saturday the closure of all points of entry into the country as of Monday. All Ecuadorian and foreign citizens residing abroad will have until Monday to return. Ecuador has 28 confirmed cases.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic will suspend, as of this Monday, all flights from Europe, as well as the arrival of cruises. The measure will be valid for one month, announced the Dominican executive. The measure’s impact on the tourism sector is expected to be large. One in four of the six million tourists who visit the Dominican Republic travel from Europe, mainly from Germany, Spain, France and Italy. The country has 11 cases.
