Finland on Monday, March 16, 2020 declared a state of emergency to combat the coronavirus pandemic, including closing schools and banning visits to nursing homes and institutions, the government said.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin says the 19-point programme to be formally approved on Tuesday will also allow immediate closure of the borders if necessary, with exceptions for Finnish residents returning to home and for goods and medicine.
The closure of schools and universities would take effect from Wednesday, and would be in force until April 13.
Public gatherings would be limited to at most 10 people, while cultural institutions, sports and youth centres would also be closed.
In a related development, Egypt will suspend all passenger flights to and from its airports as a protective measure against the spread of the coronavirus, said the country’s prime minister on Monday.
“The flights will be suspended starting from March 19 noon until March 31,” said Mostafa Madbouly in a televised news conference.
The decision is aimed at controlling the spread of the virus, he added.
Egypt has confirmed 126 coronavirus cases including two deaths.
