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| - The mayor of Ukrainian capital Kiev said Monday it would join the growing number of major cities to close bars, restaurants and shopping malls to stem the spread of coronavirus. Ukraine had already implemented drastic preventative measures including banning foreigners, and it will stop all flights to and from the country from Tuesday. It has also closed schools and universities and banned major public events. "Fast food outlets, restaurants, cafes and bars will not operate," Kiev Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said in a statement, adding that the new measures would take effect Tuesday in the city of three million people. "Shopping centres will not open either," he added. Ukraine has officially confirmed five cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, and one death, none of them in Kiev. "We need to buy time. We must reduce the chances of the virus spreading through the capital," Klitschko said. He advised residents to avoid public transport unless absolutely necessary. Ukraine's other major cities, from Lviv in the west to the southern port of Odessa, are taking similar anti-virus measures including closing museums and swimming pools. Ukraine's parliament is to hold an extraordinary session on Tuesday to consider further steps. dg/am/wai
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