Argentina closes borders for 15 days against coronavirus: President Fernández

BUENOS AIRES, Mar 15 (Reuters) – Argentina ordered on Sunday to close its borders as a precautionary measure in the face of the coronavirus pandemic that is plaguing the world, President Alberto Fernández announced at a press conference.

“During the next 15 days, no one will be able to enter the country except Argentine and foreign residents,” said the president.

“The coronavirus does not come only from Europe and is beginning to affect neighboring countries and ourselves,” he explained.

On the other hand, Fernández pointed out that classes were suspended in public and private schools until March 31 for prevention.

After a meeting with officials and health specialists, the president pointed out that the National Parks will also be closed, those over 65 will be given a license and events that crowd large numbers of people will be suspended.

“Everything indicates that what we have to achieve is to minimize the circulation of the virus. Do everything possible so that the virus does not circulate among us,” said Fernández.

“We have to buy time to be able to better manage the health issue,” he said.

The Ministry of Health said this Sunday that the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the country amounts to 56 cases, of which two died.

So far, the coronavirus has infected 162,365 people worldwide and killed at least 6,070, according to a Reuters count.

(Report by Walter Bianchi and Cassandra Garrison)