COVID-19 North Macedonia closes border and airport

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Government of North Macedonia has decided to close all border crossings and the international airport in Skopje.

"Border crossings are closed for the entry of foreign citizens, passengers and vehicles, except for the entry and transit of cargo vehicles, representatives of the diplomatic corps and other persons for whom there is a special state or economic interest," said the Minister of Health of North Macedonia, Venko Filipče, at a press conference.

He stated that the border crossing at the international airport "Skopje" is being closed, except for state, military, cargo, humanitarian, medical and empty flights 48 hours after this decision comes into force.

The decision to close the second, smaller Macedonian international airport, in Ohrid, was made on Saturday, March 14.

Filipče said that five new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed, and that two positive tests made at a private clinic need to be confirmed tomorrow due to different protocols.

Among the five newly infected cases, four are from Debar (a town that has been quarantined) and one woman from Skopje who returned from the Netherlands.

According to data from the Ministry of Health, 23 people are currently infected with coronavirus in North Macedonia, of which 20 are from Debar and three from Skopje, while one has recovered.