Europe

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/: Russia’s government has ordered to close the Russian-Polish and Russian-Norwegian land border for foreign nationals on Sunday to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, the government said in a statement on Saturday.

ST. PETERSBURG, March 14. /TASS/: The law on amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation, which after approval by the Federation Council was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in the procedural part on Saturday, was submitted to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the press service of the court said.

MOSCOW, March 14. /TASS/: Russia has established a council coordinating anti-coronavirus efforts across the country, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Saturday.

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/: Renault increased car prices in Russia by 1.14% in average on the back of falling oil prices and fluctuated ruble rate, an official spokesperson of the company told TASS.

"Yes, prices were adjusted [+1.14% - TASS] on the basis of the evolved economic situation," the spokesperson said.

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/: Several employees of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences were quarantined after visiting European countries, press service of the Institute told TASS.

"Several Institute employees are quarantined after the return from European countries," the press service said.

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/: Test systems for identification of the new coronavirus are available in each Russian region in sufficient quantities, press service of the Russian consumer rights and health control watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said.

MOSCOW, March 15. /TASS/: The route of Russian-Turkish patrols in the Syrian province of Idlib has been shortened because of militants’ plans, which involved using women and children as human shields, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry pointed out that Russia and Turkey had carried out their first joint patrol mission along the M4 highway in Idlib earlier on Sunday. "The patrol’s route was shortened in light plans made by radical groups not controlled by Turkey," the statement added.

Madrid, Mar 15 (AFP/PTI) The wife of Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, his office said.

The announcement came late Saturday, just hours after he announced a near total lockdown nationwide.

Both Begona Gomez and her husband were well, and were at their official residence following the new measures introduced by the health authorities, said a government statement.

MADRID, March 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Spain followed Italy and imposed a near total nationwide lockdown to fight the spread of coronavirus by banning people from leaving home except to go to work, get medical care or buy food.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the restrictions on movement following a huge spike in the number of infections in this nation of some 46 million people.

They are among the measures introduced as part of a 15-day state of emergency officially declared by his government on Saturday.

PARIS, March 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — France drastically stepped up its measures against the spread of the coronavirus, announcing the closure of all non-essential public places including restaurants and cafes from midnight (2300 GMT).

“I have decided on the closure until further notice from midnight of places that receive the public that are non-essential to the life of the country,” Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told reporters.

“This includes notably cafes, restaurants, cinemas and discos.”