Guatemala has announced that it is suspending incoming flights carrying immigrants and asylum seekers sent by the United States, citing concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic.

According to AP, the measure includes indefinitely suspending flights carrying people from other Central American nations who were being sent to Guatemala under an asylum cooperation agreement with the United States that is part of Washington's broader crackdown on immigration at the US-Mexico border.

"All flights of returnees under the [agreement with Washington] are suspended for the duration of the state of calamity," Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo said.