(CNN) — The distant island nation of Kiribati went into lockdown for the primary time for the reason that Covid-19 pandemic started two years in the past after dozens of passengers on a world flight examined optimistic for the virus.
Of a inhabitants of simply 122,391, solely 3 confirmed circumstances had been recognized in Kirbati earlier than final week’s flight. That is partly because of the island’s strict entry controls through the pandemic and its isolation. Kiribati sits in the course of the Pacific Ocean, 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometers) away from North America.
Kiribati’s authorities stated it would enact on Monday a 24-hour curfew in South Tarawa — the primary hub of Kiribati — and the close by township of Beito.
Residents should keep house except they’ve to depart for important work, entry emergency providers or store for meals or different important items, the federal government stated in its assertion.
No public transport will probably be in operation; social gatherings will probably be banned; and all bars and nightclubs will probably be closed.
Kiribati in the intervening time requires all individuals to put on masks in public areas, together with on public transportation. There may be already a curfew in place from 10 p.m. till 5 a.m., and social gatherings are currntly restricted to 10 individuals.
Kiribati and different Pacific nations have been spared the worst of the pandemic as a result of many states closed their borders overseas nationals shortly after the virus emerged in late 2019.
