The Wuhan coronavirus has caused 426 deaths and 20,528 infected cases as of February 4 at 23:05 in Beijing time (GMT+8).
Key developments:
* UK citizens told to leave China
* Indonesia insists on China travel ban
* Cathay Pacific to cut 90% China flights
* American Airlines suspended Hong Kong service
* Alert issued over infected cases on cruise
Worldwide updates on February 4:
>> Australia bracing for impact of China travel ban
Australia's tourism operators said fears about the coronavirus and the government's decision to ban travelers from China have come at the worst time possible, after the bushfires already slashed visitor numbers. Thousands of passengers who were scheduled to arrive in Australia over the weekend were unable to do so, after the ban was announced.
>> U.K. advises against "all but essential" travel to China
Britain's Foreign & Commonwealth Office advised against "all but essential" travel to mainland China and recommends that British Nationals who are able to leave China do so.
>> Indonesia insists on China travel ban
Indonesia has decided on imposing a travel ban to and from China to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. Indonesian transportation minister Budi Karya Sumadi told reporters on Tuesday that "It will start at midnight."
>> Cathay Pacific to Cut 90% China flights
The airline plans to reduce operations across its entire network over the next two months. The total impact across Cathay’s network will be a reduction of about 30% in capacity.
>> Chinese airlines suspend flights to North America
Chinese carriers China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines have suspended some flights to North America as airlines across the globe scale back service to mainland China amid the coronavirus health scare. Industry watchers said it’s likely that other airlines, especially those based in China, will follow suit, though Air China and China Southern Airlines have not yet made any such announcements publicly.
>> China urges airlines to continue flights to non-restricted areas
The Civil Aviation Administration of China told domestic airlines that when they cancel a portion of flights due to falling market demand, they need to ensure they continue to operate to countries where flights are allowed, unless the country has placed restrictions.
>> American Airlines suspended Hong Kong flights
American Airlines on Tuesday suspended its Hong Kong service to and from Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles through Feb 20, citing a drop in demand as the coronavirus spreads. The carrier suspended its mainland China flights through March 27 but intended to continue flying to Hong Kong. Delta and United took similar steps.
>> Japanese carriers suspend flights to China
All Nippon Airways will suspend flights between Narita and Beijing from February 10 to March 29, and flights from Haneda to Beijing will be halved. Japan Airlines announced that flights between three Japanese cities (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka) and four Chinese cities (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Tianjin) will be reduced from 196 flights weekly to 86 services due to decreased demand.
>> Cruise passengers remain quarantined in Japan
Carnival Corp.’s Princess Cruises said it will delay disembarking passengers on board a ship in Japan by as much as 24 more hours, after a passenger tested positive for coronavirus on Feb 1. Japan’s health authority is currently testing the health of the 2,666 passengers and 1,045 crew.
>> China issues alert over infected cases on cruise
The disease control authority of Guangdong is scrambling to track down thousands of passengers who were on board a cruise between China and Vietnam after at least four people were confirmed to have been infected with the coronavirus. Authorities have issued an emergency alert, asking people who sailed with the cruise to report to local disease control and prevention centres.
>> Macao casinos to close for 2 weeks
Casinos, along with 18 other types of premises including bars, cinemas and massage parlours will close for 15 days in Macao to contain the spread of the deadly virus after a hotel worker was locally infected, the city’s leader said on Tuesday.
Read earlier reports on coronavirus:
>> Infected cases found on cruise ships, 25,000 flights canceled
>> Local, global travel firms join fight against coronavirus outbreak
>> W.H.O. declares global emergency, Singapore bans Chinese visitors
