As the coronavirus continues to spread, some countries are putting their citizens on lockdown (though that’s not a technical term used by public-health officials).
India, China, France, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, and the UK have implemented the world’s largest and most restrictive mass quarantines.
South Africa will go into a 21-day lockdown on March 26.
New Zealand enacted mandatory 14-day quarantine for all individuals entering the country. The country went on full lockdown on Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia locked down its capital and two holy cities on Wednesday.
Colombia began a nationwide quarantine on Tuesday, with people over the age of 70 told to remain indoors until May.
India went into full coronavirus lockdown for 21 days on Tuesday.
The UK went into full coronavirus lockdown on Monday evening.
Australia closed non-essential businesses on Monday. Further closures were announced on Tuesday and will be enacted on Wednesday.
China implemented the largest quarantine in human history to try to contain the coronavirus, locking down at least 16 cities at the end of January.
Jordan has been under a strict indefinite lockdown since Saturday morning. People caught leaving their homes are subject to up to a year in prison.
Argentina went into a “preventative and compulsory” lockdown on March 21.
On March 19, Israel went into partial lockdown — foreigners were already banned from entering the country. Soldiers are reportedly preparing to help enforce a full lockdown if it goes into place.
Germany announced a shutdown of shops, churches, sports facilities, bars, and clubs in 16 states.
The Malaysian government announced on March 16 that all business operations will be closed except essentials like markets, utilities, broadcasting, banking, and healthcare. On Wednesday, the lockdown was extended by two weeks.
The Czech Republic closed most shops and restaurants for 10 days and banned foreign travel starting March 16.
France closed nonessential businesses. On March 16 it implemented a full lockdown, banning public gatherings and walks outside.
Norway went into a two-week lockdown on March 12, and on Tuesday the government decided to extend the lockdown through Easter.
Denmark enacted a lockdown on March 11, which it has now extended to April 13.
In Italy, a nationwide lockdown went into effect on March 10 which restricts virtually all aspects of life for its 60 million citizens, including retail, leisure, worship, imprisonment, and travel.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Kofi Atakora
