Switzerland’s government has declared a state of emergency, ordering shops, restaurants, bars and other facilities to be shut down in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The measures exclude health care operations and supermarkets, but include entertainment and leisure facilities, which will be closed until April 19.
“We need to do everything possible to slow the advance of the coronavirus,” Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga says, urging people to practice social distancing and follow government guidelines.
The nation, which had already implemented border controls on people coming from risk areas, extends them to include checks on the borders with Germany, Austria and France.
The government approves the use of up to 8,000 members of the military to help in hospitals, as well as where needed with logistics and security.
— AP
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