A spokesman for the prime minister said Tuesday the government will close all 142 livestock markets nationwide from March 24 to April 16.

The decision was made at a joint meeting of cabinet ministers and provincial governors held Tuesday morning with Prime Minister Lee Han-dong presiding. The measures are intended to arrest the spread of foot-and-mouth disease from European livestock to domestic herds.

The participants also decided to increase inspections for carry-on luggage of passengers arriving from countries stricken by the disease. Currently, only 6 percent of passengers have bags checked.

They also decided to increase efforts to stop the smuggling of meat products into Korea, by X-raying luggage at airports and intensifying coastal patrols. Imported fodder will also be subject to more rigorous inspections.

The government banned the use of European beef, pork or related products for catering purposes inside ships and airplanes, and ordered inbound planes and ships to refrain from dumping food waste on Korean soil.

Sailors, passengers and crew members will be required to walk through troughs or over mats to disinfect the soles of their shoes before disembarking at any of the 28 commercial ports nationwide.