Borders closed? Lockdowns? Offices closed? Schools closed? Expat.com offers a quick overview of the situation around the world and particularly in the most affected countries.
The number of cases of COVID-19 is quickly nearing one million worldwide. And the number of deaths because of the virus have spiked to over 40,000 in just two weeks. With this, more and more countries are turning to partial or full lockdowns, resorting to closing their borders and taking dire measures to try and contain the outbreak.
China
Last week, 55 cases of COVID-19 were diagnosed in China. After several months of mayhem caused by the coronavirus in China, the country has finally been able to stop the spread of the virus. However, imported cases are still a threat. And while the country is slowly going back to normal, with shops and restaurants opening, industries operating again and public transport almost entirely back to normal, flights are still strictly controlled. All airlines are limited to a flight per week and they should not be more than 75% full. The country is currently not allowing foreign nationals to enter.
USA
USA has in the last week become the country with the most cases of coronavirus around the world. The Federal government is announcing new ways to cope with the epidemic and is voting large sums of money to help deal with the crisis- both health and economic.
Measures differ depending on what state you're in. In most states, however, people are only allowed outside if they are going for groceries, to the medical centre. In California, New York, Washington DC and a few other states, restaurants, pubs, and delivery services have been entirely closed.
Regarding flights, in-country flights are still operating although they have been reduced and people are being discouraged to fly. However, foreign citizens from Europe cannot enter the USA right now. Only American citizens are allowed to fly from Europe to the USA.
Italy
Italy is still under complete lockdown. The Italian government first announced the lockdown on 9th of March 2020 and has extended it since until at least the 12th of April. Italians and residents are only allowed out for grocery shopping, medical reasons or to go to work in essential services such as health.
Italy is the most affected country in Italy and is still showing an increase in the number of contaminations and deaths almost a month after the decree of a state of emergency. While Italy has banned domestic travel. However, flights are still coming in and out of Italy although severely reduced.
France
France has also been under lockdown since the 14th of March with people only allowed outside for grocery shopping, individual workouts, medical reasons or going to work if they work in essential services. The lockdown has been extended until the 15th of March although there is a chance that this might last a lot longer.
Only French citizens, residents and members of the European Union including Switzerland are able to enter the country at the moment. Flights have been greatly reduced both in and out of the country.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom were the last of the countries under lockdown to impose one. The lockdown started on the 30th of March and is meant to last “several weeks”. Media outlets in the UK suggest this could last up to six months. During the lockdown, residents are only allowed to leave their houses to go to work for essential services, to go grocery shopping, to go to hospitals or the doctors or for an individual workout once a day.
Regarding flights, the UK borders are not closed as at the 1st of April but residents have been advised against all non-essential travel.
Spain
Spain is the second most affected country in Europe after Italy. The country has been under lockdown since the 19th of March and for an undetermined period of time. Right now, people are only allowed out for grocery shopping, going to work for essential services and medical reasons.
Since the 22nd of March, Spain has closed its borders to most foreigners.
