French Polynesia is closing schools this week and arranging for the departure of tourists in the latest set of measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.
School books Photo: 123 RF
The French High Commissioner and the French Polynesian president made the announcement just hours after strict containment rules were outlined by the French president who said the country was now at war.
Anyone arriving in French Polynesia will now have to be isolated for 14 days.
Inter-island movements will be curtailed to a minimum.
Meetings may not involve more than 100 people while hotels and restaurants have been told to reduce the number of guests.
However, many establishments in Papeete have already closed.
To date, there are three people in French Polynesia confirmed to be infected.
President Edouard Fritch said the people who were on a boat with a Swiss tourist infected with the virus had been checked.
Meanwhile, next weekend's second round of the municipal elections has been called off.