Countries isolate citizens to stop global spread of virus

BEIJING/SEOUL, January 30

Countries began isolating hundreds of citizens evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan in an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus that has killed 170 persons, but anger and fear is growing amid demands that the epidemic be kept at bay. The number of those infected with the virus has risen to 7,711.

With a confirmed case of coronavirus reported in Tibet, the disease has reached every region in mainland China.

South Korea called for calm in the face of protests at a proposed quarantine centre, while trade unions in Hong Kong have threatened strikes unless the border between the city and mainland China is sealed.

Asian stocks and currencies fell as the death toll rose and more cases were reported around the world, fuelling concern that China, the world’s second-largest economy, may be hit hard. “Markets will remain highly volatile as long as they feel that they only have an incomplete picture of what is going on, and what is going to happen next,” said Agathe Demarais, global forecasting director at the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Alphabet Inc’s Google and Sweden’s IKEA joined other major firms in closing operations in China. Concern is growing that thousands of Chinese factory workers on Lunar New Year holidays may struggle to get back to work next week, due to extensive travel restrictions imposed to stop the virus spreading. — Agencies

Beijing allocates $4 billion to combat deadly outbreak

Beijing: China on Thursday allocated nearly $4 billion funding to support efforts to contain the dreaded coronavirus as the death toll from the epidemic jumped to 170, with the foundations of Jack Ma and Bill & Melinda Gates also opening their wallets to help in the fight against the outbreak. The coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, capital of China’s Hubei province, in December and has now spread across the globe. China has allocated 27.3 billion yuan (about USD 3.94 billion) to support the battle across the country against the novel coronavirus, the Finance Ministry said. The funds have been allocated to guarantee the coronavirus prevention and control work, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. PTI

Russia shuts border with virus-hit nation

Moscow: Russia said on Thursday it was closing its border with China to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus and would stop issuing electronic visas to Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told a government meeting that the order had been signed “to take measures to close the border (with China) in the Far East”. “We have to do everything to protect our people,” he said. AFP

Pak not to evacuate its citizens to show ‘solidarity’ with china

Islamabad: The Pakistan Government has decided not to evacuate its citizens from the coronavirus-hit Wuhan city to show “solidarity” with its all-weather ally, a senior official announced on Thursday though four Pakistani nationals have contracted the deadly disease in China. There were up to 800 Pakistanis studying in various universities in Wuhan. “We believe that right now, it is in the interest of our loved ones in China (to stay there),” Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Health Dr Zafar Mirza said. PTI