Coronavirus causes China to suspend tourist trips abroad

After isolating 40 million people and closing a tourist spot , China decided to suspend all tourist trips that leave the country to try to contain the outbreak of the new coronavirus. Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday 25 that the virus is spreading "at an accelerated rate" and that the country is facing a "serious situation".

"Given the serious situation of an epidemic that is accelerating, it is necessary to strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the Central Party Committee," he said at a news conference. According to the China Tourism Association, group travel abroad will be suspended as of Monday (27). Domestic travel was already restricted since Friday (24).

So far at least 1,372 cases of infection and 41 deaths from complications of the disease have been recorded in the country.

As of this Friday, the 24th, China has already quarantined thirteen cities in the country in an attempt to contain the spread of the new virus. The measure, which suspends public transport in the localities, affects about 40 million people. As a precaution, the capital Beijing also canceled public events to commemorate the date and closed tourist spots, such as the Olympic Stadium "Bird's Nest". Part of the Great Wall was also closed for visitation.