Corona Virus Emergency, China Bans Wuhan Residents From Leaving The City

JAKARTA - Chinese authorities are suspending all modes of transportation to leave Wuhan City, to reduce the spread of the new corona virus outbreak. This is done in line with the increasing number of cases and has killed 17 people.

Buses, subways, ferries and long-distance transportation from Wuhan were stopped on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at 10:00 local time. The news was conveyed by Chinese state media. Airports and train stations are also closed to passengers leaving Wuhan. The Chinese government has also asked citizens not to leave Wuhan unless there is an emergency.

The local government has also canceled public activities during the holidays, including the annual prayer at the Guiyan Temple in Wuhan, which attracted 700,000 tourists last year. The mayor of Wuhan, Zhou Xianwang, urged residents not to leave the city and not visit Wuhan so that the possibility of transmission could be reduced.

"If there is no need, we advise people not to come to Wuhan," Zhou told Chinese state television station CCTV.

Body temperature scanners have also been installed at the city's train stations and airports. Health workers also check the temperature of bus drivers at checkpoints on the highway.

No people in #Wuhan, C China's Hubei will be allowed to leave the city starting 10 am of Jan. 23. Train stations and airport will shut down; the city bus, subway, ferry and long-distance shuttle bus will also be temporarily closed: local authority #WuhanPneumonia #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/8pohJ4Uixo

- People's Daily, China (@PDChina) January 22, 2020

More than 500 people have contracted the coronavirus in China and are currently under examination by medical personnel. Most sufferers initially complain of shortness of breath. It is thought that the symptoms of the disease can be milder, which will be more difficult to detect.

China is now at the most critical stage of prevention and control, given that the Bamboo Curtain country is preparing to celebrate the new year on January 25, many come to China to celebrate the new year as well as holidays.

Bans on visiting China have also been issued in various countries. The President of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, has appealed to citizens not to visit central China.

Even North Korea has also banned the entry of foreign tourists into the country to guard against the spread of the new virus from China. The temporary closure of the border between North Korea and China began on Wednesday January 22.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific said that it would ask cabin crew to wear masks while flying. Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway (MTR) has also stopped selling high-speed train tickets to and from Wuhan.

#ChinesePneumonia: horror story in 4 words— "I come from #Wuhan 🇨🇳" #WuhanSARS #WuhanPneumonia #China #ChinaPneumonia pic.twitter.com/GchYSTeD1N

- @Dystopia (@ Dystopia992) January 20, 2020

This was conveyed directly by Dobie Yam, public relations manager of the Hong Kong public transport company. Yam said the decision was taken after discussions with railway authorities in mainland China.

This virus has also been confirmed to be spread outside China, namely the United States (US), Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. On Wednesday, January 22, 2020, Thailand confirmed that it had handled four cases of the corona virus. Meanwhile Macau reported its first case and has installed health checks at all airports that have daily flights from Wuhan, including Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueng, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

However, the WHO postponed the decision to declare a global outbreak emergency and asked the expert committee to continue the meeting to be held on Thursday 23 January. The WHO Director-General said that the emergency measures taken by the Wuhan authorities demonstrated a commitment to minimizing the risk of spreading locally and abroad.

“What they are doing is very, very strong and with full commitment. We emphasize to them that by taking strong action not only to control the outbreak in their country, but they also minimize the possibility of this outbreak spreading internationally, "concluded Dr Tedros Ahanom Ghebreyesus.