Despite the continuous increased number of cases, WHO assesses the risk of this event to be very high in China, high at the regional level and moderate at the global level.
Until the time of writing, 30 provinces and cities in China have launched a First-Level Response to Major Public Health Emergencies. There are several new prevention measures taken by the Chinese government:
- Jan 24th: E Zhou, Xian Tao, Qianjiang, Huanggang and Jingmen Cities in Hubei Province have also temporarily closed all public transportation incl. airport, bus and railway stations. The tunnel under-passing Wuhan Section of the Yangtze River has also been closed since Jan 25th.
- Jan 25th:
- The Shanghai Railway Bureau released the train suspension information, including many trains from Wuhan to Beijing, some of the trains are suspended until Feb 23rd.
- Hong Kong raised the contingency plan to the “emergency” level. Flights and high-speed train to and from Wuhan have been suspended indefinitely. Health declaration for inbound passengers extended to piers, land crossing and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. Temperature checks will also be conducted on departures from Hong Kong with priority given to Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macau.
- In Hubei Province, a total of 72 railway stations have closed the exits and 387 stations across the country have taken temperature measurements.
- Jan 26th:
- All inter-provincial public buses in Beijing are suspended until further notice.
- Total eight routes of inter-provincial shuttle bus at Beijing two airports have been also suspended.
- The China Association of Travel Agency announced that all domestic and international tour group scheduled to depart would be suspended from Jan 27th.
In addition, China has agreed with the USA government to arrange a chartered flight to evacuate US citizens and consulate workers from Wuhan on Jan 26th.
Please see more information on WHO website with situation report and travel advice.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
https://www.who.int/ith/2020-24-01-outbreak-of-Pneumonia-caused-by-new-coronavirus/en/
