Qatif-Saudi Arabia And Lombardy-Italy Stories Closed Due To COVID-19

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JAKARTA - Yesterday, on the same day, Saudi Arabia and Italy closed several city accesses to break the chain of the spread of the corona virus. Millions of people are isolated. The Saudis closed the Qatif region, while Italy closed the Lombardy region as well as 14 other provinces.

Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian government temporarily closed the Qatif region on Sunday, March 8, in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Quoting Aljazeera, the announcement came when the area inhabited by the Shia group recorded four new cases, so that until this news was written, there were 11 cases of the corona virus in the region.

The Saudi Interior Ministry said access in and out of the Qatif region was temporarily halted, while ensuring residents had returned to their homes and ensuring that the supplies there were met.

"Work in all public and private institutions is halted to prevent the spread of disease, with the exception of vital facilities that provide necessary security and services," the ministry said.

Previously, the Saudi Arabian Interior Ministry said that all people diagnosed with the corona virus came from Qatif. Previously, authorities also said those infected had traveled to Iran or interacted with people visiting the Islamic Republic.

Arabs have previously prohibited their citizens from going to Iran and will impose legal sanctions on their citizens if they insist on traveling there. The reason is, as is known, Iran is the source of the spread of COVID-19 in the Middle East region.

As of Sunday, Iran reports 194 deaths from the coronavirus. The death toll is close to Italy's country with the highest number of deaths outside China. In Italy the number of deaths was recorded at 233 people.

Italy

Apart from Saudi Arabia, on the same day, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree closing access to the Lombardy region and 14 other provinces. Millions of people in the area will be isolated as the spread of the corona virus increases.

Meanwhile, CNN was quoted as saying that the closure would limit travel in and out of the region. The response taken by the Italian government is one of the toughest decisions to be implemented outside mainland China in order to control the COVID-19 epidemic.

"There will be an obligation to avoid any movement of people entering or leaving the affected areas. Even in the surrounding areas it is only allowed for essential work or health reasons," Conte said.

The announcement came after the Italian government saw a surge in corona virus cases reaching 1,247 confirmed cases last Saturday. According to the latest data currently in Italy there were 5,883 cases and 233 deaths.

This policy only applies in northern Italy. However, other policies related to the corona virus outbreak will be implemented throughout the country. For example, closing schools, colleges, cinemas, bars, nightclubs and sporting events. In addition, religious ceremonies, including funerals will also be temporarily suspended.