Algiers, March 16, 2020 – Algeria’s Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad announced Monday a suspension of all scheduled travel links with Europe in a bid to forestall the spread of coronavirus. The measure, to take effect from Thursday, will hit all “air and sea travel to and from European countries”, the premier’s office said. “This exceptional suspension… will be accompanied by a repatriation plan for our citizens currently in the countries concerned,” it said. Algeria has already announced a suspension from Tuesday of all traffic links with France, which hosts a large Algerian community, following cuts with Spain and Italy. Four people have died from coronavirus in Algeria, according to the health ministry. (AFP)
Algiers, March 15, 2020 – Algeria is to suspend all air and sea links with France from Tuesday to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, the prime minister’s office said. Abdelaziz Djerad ordered the “exceptional suspension” of “all air and sea passenger services” after consultation with his French counterpart Edouard Philippe, his office said in a statement Sunday. There will however be a repatriation scheme for French citizens currently travelling in Algeria and Algerian nationals now travelling in France, it added.
France is one of the European countries hit hardest by the COVID-19 illness, accounting for 91 of more than 6,000 deaths worldwide. Algeria has reported 49 confirmed cases including one person who has since left its territory. Four have died.
