Moroccan airways suspend flights to Italy over COVID-19

By Tajuddin al-Abdalawi

RABAT, Morocco (AA) - Royal Air Maroc airlines suspended all flights Tuesday to and from Italy because of fear about the novel coronavirus.

The national carrier said the decision came in response to a government-mandated suspension of flights to Italy.

The country’s health authorities also confirmed Tuesday its first fatality from the virus.

It said an "89-year-old woman, who was suffering from chronic diseases of the respiratory system, heart, arteries and other diseases" died from the virus, and a French tourist tested positive for the virus bringing the total number to three in the North African nation.

Morocco reported March 2, its first coronavirus case from a citizen who had returned from Italy.

Authorities decided to ban all events with more than 1,000 persons or events that involve participation of foreigners.

The global death toll from virus is exceeds 4,000 with more than 113,000 confirmed cases in 110 countries, according to the World Health Organization.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara