Pilot spells out STAY HOME above Austria in coronavirus warning

Pilot spells out STAY HOME above Austria in coronavirus warning as country imposes five-person limit on public gatherings

  •  Light aircraft flew over Austria on Monday and left the message: ‘Stay home’
  • It comes as Austrian government bans public gatherings of over five people
  • In Spain, police left similar message for tourists and locals in hotspot Benidorm 
  • Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

A small plane wrote out a clear message in the sky to instruct people grappling with the coronavirus outbreak. 

The light aircraft Diamond DA40 was flying domestically in Austria from Wiener Neustadt to Graz on Monday morning. 

In-keeping with the country’s strict new emergency measures which include a five-person limit on public gatherings to halt the spread of the virus, during its journey the monoplane spelled out the message: ‘Stay home.’ 

A small plane left a clear message above the clouds to instruct people grappling with the coronavirus outbreak

The light aircraft Diamond DA40 (pictured) was flying domestically in Austria from Wiener Neustadt to Graz

The light aircraft Diamond DA40 (pictured) was flying domestically in Austria from Wiener Neustadt to Graz

In-keeping with the country's strict new emergency measures which include a five-person limit on public gatherings to halt the spread of the virus, during its journey the monoplane spelled out the message: 'Stay at home'

In-keeping with the country’s strict new emergency measures which include a five-person limit on public gatherings to halt the spread of the virus, during its journey the monoplane spelled out the message: ‘Stay at home’

The words were formed over the state of Burgenland in eastern Austria in an effort to encourage people to stay inside to limit the spread of the virus as much as possible. 

Similarly, police officers in Benidorm, a popular holiday destination in Spain took advantage of the usually-crowded beaches to spell out the words ‘Stay at home’ with abandoned sun loungers. 

The unusual action by police officers sent a stark message to tourists and locals to stay away from the much-loved area amid the crisis.   

It comes as police officers in Benidorm, a popular holiday destination in Spain took advantage of the usually-crowded beaches to spell out the words 'Stay at home' with abandoned sun loungers

It comes as police officers in Benidorm, a popular holiday destination in Spain took advantage of the usually-crowded beaches to spell out the words ‘Stay at home’ with abandoned sun loungers

In Austria, over 800 people have been infected out of a population of 8.8 million and one person has died. 

The country has reduced public life to a minimum in response to the coronavirus epidemic. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced a limit on public gatherings with no more than five people allowed to congregate unless they are working to tackle the outbreak, and non-essential shops have been closed alongside restaurants and bars. 

The Swiss region of Geneva has also limited gatherings to just five people as it declared a ‘state of necessity’. 

Geneva city, home to many international institutions including the United Nations’ headquarters in Europe and the World Health Organization, banned non-work gatherings of more than five people both indoors or outdoors. 

An empty cafe is seen after the government closed shops and restaurants and asked people to stay at home amid fears of coronavirus on Monday

An empty cafe is seen after the government closed shops and restaurants and asked people to stay at home amid fears of coronavirus on Monday 

A waiter carries tables at the Aida cafe at St. Stephan's square in Vienna following the cafe's 3pm closure as part of restrictions imposed by the Austrian government on Monday

A waiter carries tables at the Aida cafe at St. Stephan’s square in Vienna following the cafe’s 3pm closure as part of restrictions imposed by the Austrian government on Monday

The empty outside seating area at the Segafredo cafe following the cafe's 3pm closure

The empty outside seating area at the Segafredo cafe following the cafe’s 3pm closure

Austrian Airlines is suspending all regular flights starting Thursday morning.

The Lufthansa subsidiary said Monday that it is cancelling all flights until March 28 and, where possible, will book passengers onto other airlines.

The last scheduled flight will arrive in Vienna from Chicago on Thursday morning. Austrian Airlines will keep two planes in service for flights to bring home Austrians from abroad.

 

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