More Balkan Countries Confirm First Coronavirus Cases

Albania, Bulgaria and Moldova registered their first cases of the coronavirus at the weekend as the illness continues to expand its reach in the Balkans and worldwide.

The Albanian Ministry of Health on Sunday said the two cases had arrived from Italy, were in a stable condition and have been placed in care.

"The patients, a father and son who flew from Florence to Tirana, are stable and without complications," a Facebook post read.

The ministry urged recent travelers from Italy to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days and call 127 if they feel sick.

Albania has close economic and social links with Italy, the European hotspot for the disease. About 600,000 Albanians live there permanently and thousands more travel each day by plane and ferry.

On Monday the government banned flights to northern Italy. It also closed schools and theatres for two weeks.

Bulgaria also detected its first cases over the weekend, confirming four cases between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

The patients, a 27-year-old man, a 61-year-old man, a 75-year-old woman and a woman doctor, are in the towns of Gabrovo and Pleven. Their condition is stable and all those who have been in a recent contact with them have undergone tests.

Prime Minister Boyko Borissov announced that Bulgaria had bought 50,000 items of protective equipment from Turkey and planned to manufacture 3 million protective masks and items of equipment, although Minister of Health Kiril Ananiev said they would take months to be ready.

All indoor cultural and sport events are cancelled for the time being while outdoor sports events are going ahead but without public audiences. It is unknown whether the annual Sofia Film Fest, which should open on March 12, will be...