China Suspends Domestic and International Group Tours... "Stop the 'Wuhan Pneumonia'"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Chinese government has decided to suspend domestic and overseas group tours to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection. Urgent measures are also being implemented in the capital, Beijing, to curb the spread.

According to China Central Television (CCTV) on the 26th, the China Travel Agency Association announced that, following the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's request, travel agencies will be prohibited from conducting any group tour operations, including hotel and flight reservations, starting from the 27th. Domestic group tour operations have been suspended since the 24th.

Additionally, to prevent the spread in Beijing, all bus services traveling between Beijing and other regions will be suspended starting from this day. Xinhua News Agency reported, citing officials from Beijing's transportation sector, that this measure was decided to prevent and control the epidemic situation in Beijing. The date for resuming bus operations is yet to be determined.

Beijing's Shoudu Airport and Daxing Airport began measuring the body temperature of all arriving passengers from this day. Beijing is conducting temperature checks at 35 locations including airport terminals, train stations, and subway stations. Famous tourist sites in Beijing, such as the Forbidden City and certain sections of the Great Wall, have been closed temporarily starting from this day.

Various events were scheduled to take place in parks within Beijing during the Lunar New Year period, but most large-scale events have been canceled to prevent the spread of the Wuhan pneumonia. Popular tourist sites in Beijing, including the Forbidden City and some parts of the Great Wall, will remain closed for the time being.

Meanwhile, according to the National Health Commission of China, the death toll has reached 41 so far. Thirty-nine deaths occurred in Hubei Province, where Wuhan is located, and one death each in Hebei Province and Heilongjiang Province. CCTV reported that the number of confirmed cases increased to 1,372 as of 8 p.m. on this day. Among the newly confirmed patients was the youngest case so far, a 2-year-old child.

Infections are also increasing overseas. The United States reported its second patient, and for the first time in Europe, three cases were confirmed in France. Australia also reported its first patient.