The Foreign Ministry yesterday issued a travel advisory, instructing citizens to only travel to China in “extremely necessary conditions”.
“The ministry also advises citizens to refrain from travelling to countries where the virus has already spread to ensure their safety,” it said in a statement. “It is also important to follow guidelines.”
The statement was issued as the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed 213 people and spread to 25countries, a global emergency.
The Sars-like virus originated from the Chinese city of Wuhan and has so far infected more than 9,800 people.
The US reported its first case of person-to-person transmission, the fifth country outside China to do so.
Experts say cases of person-to-person transmission outside China are especially concerning because they suggest greater potential for the virus to spread further.
The declaration of a global emergency is aimed at preventing or reducing cross-border spread of the disease, while avoiding unnecessary interference with trade and travel.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman also issued similar travel advisories yesterday. Kuwait’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation also banned Chinese and Hong Kong nationals from entering Kuwaiti territories following instructions from the Health Ministry.
It said the ban also applies to all those who had previous residence permits or entry visas from all nationalities, who were in China or Hong Kong over the past two weeks – until further notice.
Saudi Arabia’s embassy in China urged all its nationals in that country to stay indoors, communicate through official channels and comply with all health instructions issued by the local authorities.
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