Slovenia to close border with Italy, Bosnia bars entry from coronavirus-hit countries
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Slovenia plans to close its border with Italy for non-commercial traffic to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Marjan Sarec said.
He did not say when the decision would take effect but the government said the border would be closed when necessary “technical and administrative conditions” were in place.
Earlier on Tuesday the foreign ministry advised all Slovenian citizens who are in Italy to return home. Italy is suffering Europe’s worst outbreak of coronavirus, with at least 10,149 cases and 631 dead, and is in a nationwide lockdown.
Slovenian authorities have also prohibited all indoor events with over 100 people and decided to hold all major sports events without spectators until further notice.
Meanwhile, Bosnia on Tuesday barred entry to travellers from countries most affected by the coronavirus outbreak, while its Serb region shut all schools and universities and banned public events from March 11 to March 30 to help stem the spread of the infection.
A doctor in protective gear checks the temperature of a car driver at the Brenner border crossing between Austria and Italy at the Brenner pass, Austria, 10 March 2020. The Covid-19 coronavirus measures become effective at the border crossing points with Italy on 10 March morning. EPA-EFE/JAN HETFLEISCH
The measures were taken after three new cases of coronavirus were diagnosed on Tuesday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to seven. Most of them had recently traveled to Italy, Europe’s hardest-hit country.
Authorities in the capital Sarajevo also banned public gatherings with more than 300 people until further notice and ordered the closure of medical schools and faculty.
Bosnia’s Football Association postponed ticket sales for the Euro 2020 qualifying playoff semi-final between Bosnia and Northern Ireland on March 26 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
