To prevent the import of the novel coronavirus and its spread throughout the country, Italy closed its border for 13 states including Bosnia and Herzegovina over what was said to be an excessive rate of the virus infections in those countries.

“The epidemic has globally reached the most acute stage. We cannot waste the sacrifice the Italians made over the past few months,” said healthcare minister, Roberto Speranza.

The travel ban as of Thursday refers to Armenia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brasil, Bosnia, Chile, Kuwait, north Macedonia, Moldavia, Oman, Panama, Peru and the Dominican Republic, the Healthcare Ministry of Italy said on Thursday.

All travellers who come from or passed through one of these countries over the past two weeks will be prevented from crossing the border, said the minister.

Italy has also suspended direct flights to and from those countries.

Italy was among the most affected countries in Europe in the early stage of the pandemic with almost 35,000 death rate caused by Covid-19.