Iceland restricts public gatherings, closes schools

The Icelandic government said on Friday it would ban public gatherings of 100 or more people and that secondary schools and universities would close for four weeks to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.

"This is an extremely important measure that needed to be put in place at the right time, based on the advice of our top scientists, so that we continue to stay ahead of the curve," Iceland's health minister, Svandis Svavarsdottir, said.

The ban, which would not apply to ports or airports, will start on Monday. So far, 117 cases of coronavirus infections have been confirmed in the country, according to authorities.