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Tags: switzerland | president | ban | events | virus

Switzerland Shuts Down Over Virus

Switzerland Shuts Down Over Virus
Switzerland's  President Simonetta Sommaruga (Ronald Zak/AP)

Monday, 16 March 2020 06:19 PM EDT

Switzerland's government on Monday banned all public and private events from midnight and mobilized up to 8,000 members of the military after declaring the rapidly spreading coronavirus an "exceptional" emergency.

"We will not leave you alone," Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga said at a news conference announcing strict new measures aiming to control the epidemic that has killed 14 people and sickened more than 2,200 in Switzerland. "We will take care of you."

Swissinfo.ch said officials also ordered the closure of bars, restaurants, sports facilities and cultural spaces.  Only businesses providing vital goods and services – think grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, banks and post offices – are to remain open.

“We know that this decision disrupts the daily life of our country,” Interior Minister Alain Berset, said, according to the site, warning -- as officials around the world have done -- that the situation would get worse before it gets better.

The new measures are in place until April 19. That also includes school shutdowns.

The site did say hospitals and clinics must stay open for necessary procedures. And, it characterized the mobilization of soldiers as the nation's largest since World War II.

Meanwhile, the website said Swiss Federal Railways are suspending international services and reducing their domestic services. And border checks have been introduced with Germany, France and Austria. Indeed, only Swiss citizens, residents and people traveling to Switzerland for business are being permitted to enter the Alpine nation. 

© 2024 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.


GlobalTalk
Switzerland's government on Monday banned all public and private events from midnight and mobilized up to 8,000 members of the military after declaring the rapidly spreading coronavirus an "exceptional" emergency."We will not leave you alone," Swiss President Simonetta...
switzerland, president, ban, events, virus
239
2020-19-16
Monday, 16 March 2020 06:19 PM
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