BOGOTA — Colombia's usually cacophonous capital Bogota was hushed on Friday as residents took part in a quarantine drill meant to prepare people for longer isolation, as the city seeks to reduce coronavirus infections. Governments around the world have declared quarantines or ordered people to stay indoors as much as possible to stem the virus, which has killed more than 10,000 people worldwide. In the Andean city of more than 7 million, the "obligatory simulation" of mass isolation took effect at midnight on Friday and was set to run through the end of Monday, a holiday in Colombia. "I've never in my life seen Bogota like this," said Blanca Cecilia Hernandez, 66, on her way to a medical appointment. "An obligatory quarantine would be harmful to many - I have children who need to go out to work to support their families."

Source: International New York Times March 20, 2020 16:30 UTC