Two Ghanaian embassies in Europe shut indefinitely over coronavirus

Ghanaians in the Spanish city of Madrid will not be able to access consular services at the embassy as operations have been halted over the spread of the coronavirus.

A circular by authorities said the decision to suspend operations indefinitely was because of “the increasing number of coronavirus infections in Spain.”

Two fatalities have been recorded in Spain with 210 cases nationwide, including 76 in Madrid.

The release added that the action was aimed at protecting “the general public who gather at the embassy for consular services, and officers who attend to them from contracting the virus”.

This implies that persons seeking to travel from Spain to Ghana cannot have visas, and Ghanaians who wish to renew their passports may have challenges.

The suspension of services began March 4, 2020.

Meeting of Ghanaians in Italy cancelled over Coronavirus scare

It will be the second embassy to suspend services after Ghana’s embassy in Italy also announced the same.

With coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, reaching Europe, several countries have placed restrictions on movement and gathering.

The worst-hit European country is Italy, with over 3,000 confirmed cases so far and 107 deaths. Over 4,000 infections have been registered in Europe alone, with over 80,000 in China where the disease originated.

Ghana indefinitely suspends consular services in Italy over Coronavirus outbreak

The Guardian reports there are 19 cases in Valencia, 17 in the Basque country; 24 in Catalonia, 13 in Andalucía; 12 in Castilla-La Mancha; 11 in Castilla León; 10 in Cantabria, seven in the Canary Islands; six in Extremadura; five in the Balearic islands, four in Asturias, three in Navarra and three in Rioja.

Globally, infection figures are close to 100,000 with over 3200 deaths, the majority in China’s Hubei Province, the epicentre of the health threat.

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