JUBA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan has closed its airports for international flights and also shut down all border crossings as a measure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus into the country.
A 15-member task force on COVID-19 headed by first vice president Riek Machar resolved to tighten travels in and out of the country to reduce the risk of coronavirus spilling into South Sudan.
Makur Matur Koriom, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Health, said in a statement issued on Monday evening that all international flights in and out of South Sudan were banned effective midnight Monday.
Cross-border passenger buses services have also been banned, with only cargo trucks allowed to move.
The ban does not affect humanitarian, cargo, emergency and flights passing through South Sudan airspace to other destinations.
South Sudan has no case of the coronavirus but four of its neighbors have confirmed COVID-19 cases.
