"Fear of Wuhan Pneumonia"... Forbidden City Locks Doors for the First Time in 40 Years

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] Beijing's Forbidden City in China is scheduled to be closed due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia).

The museum announced on the 23rd via China's social networking service (SNS) 'Weibo' that the Forbidden City will be closed from the 25th (local time) until further notice. According to the Chinese media Xinjingbao, the Forbidden City was open during the 2003 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak, and this is the first time in nearly 40 years that it is closing due to epidemic concerns.

As the number of Wuhan pneumonia patients continues to rise in China, the Chinese government is taking strong measures such as locking down cities and canceling events.

Beijing city also canceled major events for the Spring Festival (Chunje, the Chinese Lunar New Year), including temple fairs.

On the same day, Wuhan city in China abruptly issued a city lockdown order, suspending flights, trains, and public transportation within the city and to outside areas.

Meanwhile, according to the National Health Commission of China on the 24th, the number of confirmed Wuhan pneumonia cases from the 23rd to the 24th in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China reached 868, with 26 deaths.

Among the 868 confirmed cases, 177 are severe, and 34 patients have been discharged. The number of suspected cases reported so far has reached 1,072.