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China shuts down transport in nine cities around virus epicenter
BEIJING, Jan 24, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – China Friday added a ninth city to a
transport ban around the epicentre of a deadly virus, restricting the
movement of some 32 million people as authorities scramble to control the
disease.
Jingzhou, with a population of 6.4 million, said Friday that all services
departing from its railway station will be suspended from 0400 GMT.
The city is the latest in a string of cities in central Hubei province to
impose travel restrictions in a bid to curb the spread of the new coronavirus
which has infected more than 800 people.
Public buses, passenger transport, tourism buses, ferries and other boats
will temporarily stop operations as well.
The virus first emerged from the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, where a
seafood market has been identified as the centre of the outbreak. More than
25 have died due to the virus, which has caused alarm because of its
similarity to SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), which killed nearly
650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-2003.
Huangshi, with a population of 2.4 million, shut transport routes Friday
as well as closing a ferry terminal and bridge over the Yangtze River, and
suspending public transport.
The move followed the suspension of long-distance passenger buses, tourist
coaches and public transport from Thursday night in Qianjiang, a city in
central Hubei with a population of nearly one million people.
Trains and planes were halted from leaving Wuhan on Thursday as the city
was placed under effective lockdown. Passenger boats and buses were also
forbidden from entering the city.
The virus has hit China in the midst of its Lunar New Year holiday,
typically marked by family gatherings and public celebrations.
Other cities with travel restrictions include Xiantao, a city of 1.5
million, and Chibi, which has some 500,000 people, which closed toll station
entrances and halted transport routes.
The cities of Ezhou, Huanggang and Lichuan have also introduced travel
restrictions.
Hubei province authorities said they were calling off cultural
performances at public venues.
Travel agencies in the province have suspended business activities, and
are no longer organising tour groups, authorities said in an announcement on
Friday.
From 0400 GMT, the province will also stop operating online taxis and
impose restrictions on taxis plying the roads.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1339 hrs