Iconic Charles Bridge almost empty due to quarantine

The centre of Prague was practically empty early on Monday after Czech authorities ordered the lockdown of 21 towns and villages in an area some 250 kilometers (150 miles) east of the capital to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

The Gothic Charles Bridge, normally teaming with people at any time of the day, was virtually empty. The extraordinary measures imposed include confining people to their homes except to shop for food and medicine and go to and from work.

The Czech Republic has 298 cases of infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

The measure comes just hours after the government banned traveling across the country, with the same exceptions.