A thermoscanner was placed inside the Chisinau International Airport for examining the passengers who come from Italy. The measure was taken because the number of cases of infection with the novel coronavirus in Italy has increased during the past two days, IPN reports.

After the February 24 meeting of senior state officials, Prime Minister Ion Chicu told the journalists that one more thermoscanner will be set up at the airport today so as to cover all the passengers landing in Chisinau.

Premier Chicu reminded that the commission for emergencies three weeks ago decided that the persons crossing the border who are suspected of catching the coronavirus will be supervised at home. There was no use hospitalizing all of them. “No one does this. Such a measure is taken when there is clear evidence that the person is infected,” he stated.

According to the official, the Infectious Diseases Hospital “Toma Ciorbă” prepared wards for receiving such patients, if need be.

In Italy, the authorities reported almost 160 cases of infection with the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and three deaths. Several cities in northern Italy are under quarantine. Schools, hospitals, courts of law, restaurants and shops were closed.