Venezuela suspends flights from Europe, Colombia

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Thursday suspended flights from Europe and Colombia for a month over concerns for coronavirus.

During a live televised press conference, Maduro said the government is evaluating whether or not to suspend flights from other regions in the coming weeks.

He also ordered the cancellation of public gatherings like concerts and rallies and said he does not rule out closing the borders with Colombia and Brazil.

“Beyond ideological differences, this is a real humanitarian situation and we need to coordinate between governments,” he addressed Colombian president Ivan Duque.

Speaking from the presidential palace in Caracas, Maduro said dozens of tests for suspected cases have proved negative.

“At this time, having administered tens of tests in suspicious cases, the COVID-19 virus hasn’t arrived in Venezuela, but we have to be prepared,” he said.

According to Venezuelan officials, the virus has not been detected in Venezuela yet, despite it spreading in each bordering country, including Colombia, Brazil and Peru.

Venezuela and Uruguay are the only countries in South America that have been spared from the coronavirus, at least officially.

Since Thursday morning, Colombian authorities have been forcing thousands of Venezuelans who cross the Simon Bolivar International Bridge between the two countries to wear masks and disinfect their hands. Colombian media informed that there are no health authorities on Venezuelan side of the border.