Cyprus to Impose Lockdown to Contain Spread of Coronavirus

(Bloomberg) -- Cyprus will impose a national lockdown from 6pm on March 24 to April 13 in an attempt to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

“We are truly at war,” which “is a war that can be won if we stay sheltered,” Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades said in a televised address. An out-of-control outbreak of the virus would lead to the collapse of the country’s health service, he said.

Cyprus has reported 116 coronavirus cases so far and one person has died. The government has already closed the country’s borders to all non-Cypriot citizens or non-resident foreigners, while the only shops open are supermarkets, pharmacies, private health services, bakeries, kiosks, and gas stations.

People will still be able to go to all these shops or to go to their workplace, but they will need to have their ID or passport and a certificate from their employer.

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