China reports 8000 coronavirus cases, travel restrictions in Hubei province

Travel Biz News —

China has widened its travel restrictions in Hubei province – the center of the coronavirus outbreak – as the death toll climbed to 170. The restrictions will affect at least 20 million people across 13 cities, including the capital, Wuhan, where the virus emerged.

The growing list of restrictions comes on the eve of Lunar New Year – one of the most important dates in the Chinese calendar, when millions of people travel home, BBC reports.

As public health concerns rise over a new virus, the impact is being felt by China’s travel and tourism sector. More than 400 million Chinese were expected to travel over the Lunar New Year which starts today, normally one of the busiest periods for airlines, hotels and tourist attractions.

Instead, flights and hotels are being cancelled as people face travel restrictions or choose to stay home. Many airlines have agreed to refund fares or let passengers rebook free of charge if affected, while major hotel chains are now following suit as more travel restrictions are announced.

Almost 4600 confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) had been reported in 29 provincial-level regions in the country . The pneumonia situation had resulted in 170 deaths.

Five confirmed cases had been reported in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan, with two in Hong Kong, two in Macao and one in Taiwan.

Overseas, three cases had been confirmed in Thailand, with two of them already cured. One case was cured in Japan. The Republic of Korea, the United States and Singapore had confirmed one case each, with Vietnam confirming two.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday that it was “too early” to declare the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

A WHO global emergency, known as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, is defined as a health risk to another state that potentially requires a coordinated international response. Declaring such an emergency does not mean a travel or trade ban, but rather financial and medical help.

Photo : Xinhua

January 24 , 2020