Quarantines, school closures, bans on large gatherings and travel restrictions are all measures countries have taken to curb the spread of a new coronavirus as the world tries to figure out the best way to respond.
Regardless of the number of cases in a country, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organization was"deeply concerned" about the increased number of countries reporting cases and called on all administrations to act with"speed,""scale," and"clear-minded determination." The epidemic is a"threat" to every country, according to Ghebreyesus.
On Thursday, Iran's Health Minister Saeed Namaki confirmed there were 3,513 cases and 107 deaths in the country and announced that schools and universities would be closed until early April. The decision came after officials suspended large cultural and sporting events and Namaki urged residents not to consider the time out of the classroom as an opportunity to travel.
Although Japan's cases haven't risen to the level seen in Italy or Iran, on February 27, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that elementary, middle and high schools should close immediately, according to theSchools will reopen at the beginning of April when the new year is scheduled to begin. An explosion of cases in Iran prompted WHO to send a team of experts to the country to assist with the outbreak and President Hassan Rouhanipeople to avoid unnecessary urban and interurban trips. But, he said there weren't any plans to quarantine entire cities or towns.
Singapore also being proactive.
Yes, tell us: How do countries that don't allow corporations to control their access to Healthcare responding to coronavirus