​​​​​​​GENEVA

Austria announced Thursday the closure of certain border crossings with Hungary and Slovakia because of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

To prevent the spread, particularly in Austrian border districts, border crossings will now be temporarily closed from April 5, according to the Interior Ministry.

It said affected crossings were determined in close consultation with health authorities, interest groups and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Tourism and Regions.

Security and checks at the border crossings will be carried out by the respective provincial police directorates.

To not hinder police checks, the Interior Ministry asked for understanding that no details, in particular regarding check times, number of personnel, form of the checks and other measures at the various locations will be disclosed.

It said disease control measures including the implementation of disinfection measures, including in the area of border controls, are to be ordered by the health authorities within their legal scope of action.

Austria has been controlling its borders with Slovakia since the fall of 2023. The border with Hungary has been controlled since late 2015.

The controls were tightened last week with vehicles being stopped and documents checked.