The coronavirus outbreak has paralyzed the global tourism industry. Photo: olegdudko/123RF

Costa Rica closed all its beaches on Friday to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. Locals tell of mass sackings and the cancellation of thousands of hotel reservations.

The shorefront is blocked off with yellow hazard tape and the vultures that linger on the beach each morning seem increasingly ominous.

The coronavirus outbreak has paralyzed the global tourism industry, leaving thousands of travelers scrambling to return home and devastating economies that depend on visitors. Central American and Caribbean countries have closed borders and airports, and the cost is likely to be severe.

Source: The Guardian