Coronavirus international update: Europe is now epicenter of pandemic – WHO

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5.46 pm

• Europe is now epicenter of pandemic – WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO), has now moved the epicenter of the coronavirus, formally known as Covid-19 from Wuhan-China to Europe.

Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Friday, March 13, 2020, that Europe had now become the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, with more daily cases being reported than at the height of the outbreak in China, where the virus first began.

At least 5,000 persons have died with over 139,000 infections recorded across the world.

3.09 pm

• Mass closures across the globe to control spread.Schools have been closed, sports and social events cancelled, and cultural institutions shut around the world as countries try to control the outbreak of the coronavirus.The BBC reports that in the US, six states told schools to close on Monday for at least two weeks.

  It said Belgium announced comprehensive measures including the closure of schools, cafes and restaurants, and cancellation of cultural and recreational events.

  The spread of the disease across the globe has also affected football fixtures in Europe’s top football contests. The Champions and Europa leagues have all been postponed.

2:50 pm.

• Weddings banned in Abu Dhabi

Authorities in Abu Dhabi have banned all wedding parties from Sunday, the Gulf news has reported.

The city’s Department of Culture and Tourism said on Friday, March 13, 2020, that the move was part of measures to control the spread of the coronavirus.

A statement issued by the department said, “In line with the prevalence measures for Coronavirus (COVID-19), the department is instructing all tourism establishments in the emirate to ban wedding parties.” 

The ban takes effect from Sunday, March 15, until the end of the month. The department further said it would provide updates on a weekly basis. 

2:39 pm.

• Malta announces 14-day quarantine for all arriving passengers.

Passengers arriving in Malta from any country must now undergo 14 days of quarantine, its government has said.The quarantine rules had previously applied to people arriving from European countries and five Asian countries, the BBC has reported.

In an update released by the island’s tourist board, it said the ban “shall remain in force until further notice” and would be enforced with a €1,000 fine.