# 3457
Tomorrow is a national holiday in Argentina, and so lawmakers are hoping by closing the banks and the financial markets - and encouraging (but not mandating) companies to shut down for a long weekend - they can slow the spread of the pandemic virus.
Argentina bourse, banks to close Friday due to flu
Wed Jul 8, 2009 2:21pm EDT
BUENOS AIRES, July 8 (Reuters) - Argentine financial markets and banks will close on Friday as part of government efforts to fight an outbreak of the H1N1 flu strain that has killed 70 people, officials said on Wednesday.
The government stopped short of declaring a national holiday on Friday, but it gave civil servants the day off and encouraged private companies and other institutions to do the same.
Argentina has a national holiday on Thursday.
The stock exchange, the main bond market and banks will remain closed, officials at the bourses and leading banking associations said.
President Cristina Fernandez has sought to halt the spread of the virus in the Southern Hemisphere winter by closing schools, giving pregnant workers extended leave and allocating emergency funding.
The death toll in Argentina remains a bit murky, but earlier today Crof at Crofsblog had an article which lists the number at 70.
