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Luxembourg’s State-Run ‘Corona’ Grocery Feeds Sick and Elderly

Luxembourg’s State-Run ‘Corona’ Grocery Feeds Sick and Elderly

(Bloomberg) --

Luxembourg set up a “corona” grocery service to help elderly and sick citizens to stock up on essential items as cases of the covid-19 virus in the Grand Duchy soar.

The website corona.letzshop.lu and a phone line will be reserved for people aged 65 and over or with underlying health issues and isn’t seen as a competitor to other stores, the government announced on Thursday.

“Solidarity is key in these times of crisis,” Luxembourg Family Minister Corinne Cahen said in a statement. People should “use this platform only if they are considered vulnerable and have no other means to stock up.”

The new platform will offer more than 40 of the most essential products, such as rice, pasta, milk, vegetables and fruit. The country, with a population of just over 600,000 people, counted 4 deaths and 335 cases as of Thursday morning. Numbers of confirmed cases are set to rise as tests become more widely available.

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The move follows a series of measures intended to limit the economic effects from the virus, whose epicenter has moved to Europe from China. These include a law enabling one working parent to stay at home as long as schools are closed and offering 2,000 hotel rooms to some of the thousands of commuters from neighboring nations with jobs in Luxembourg.

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