In Pictures: Central Europe in State of Emergency

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In Central Europe, Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia have declared states of emergency and Poland has declared a "state of epidemic threat".

Authorities across the region have sealed borders, restricted movement, prohibited large gatherings and closed schools, shops, bars and restaurants.

The whole of Czech Republic is in quarantine until March 24, with people only allowed to leave their homes to go to work or hospitals or buy supplies. Slovakia has ordered the closure of all shops apart from food stores, pharmacies, post offices, banks and petrol stations. 

Both Czech Republic and Slovakia declared states of emergency on March 12.

Poland's borders have been sealed since midnight on Sunday and all schools were closed as of Monday.

Hungary declared a state of emergency on March 11. Strict border controls are in place and theatres, movies and sports facilities are off limits. Schools and universities closed on Monday. 

Here are pictures from the region showing cities looking more like ghost towns and travel chaos at the borders as coronavirus brings daily life to a halt.

A police officer in a protective suit checks the temperature of travellers at the Rozvadov border crossing on the Germany side of the Czech border. On March 9, the Czech Republic put controls into place at 10 Czech border crossing points with Slovakia, Germany and Austria. Since then, the entire country has been put into quarantine. Photo: EPA-EFE/MARTIN DIVISEK

A tourist checks his mask at a check-in area of the Vaclav Havel airport in Prague, Czech Republic, 13 March 2020. The Czech...