Panic intensifies: 62 countries have implemented restrictions on Chinese entry into their territories

The corona virus continues to spread, with more than 11,660 patients diagnosed in China and 259 dead. In addition to Israel, dozens of countries have announced restrictions on Chinese nationals' entry after the virus reached 25 countries in the past week. Despite the World Health Organization declaration, Beijing said travel restrictions are "vicious"

Panic intensifies: 62 countries have implemented restrictions on Chinese entry into their territories

While the Corona virus continues to spread to more and more states, the number of infected patients has risen to 11,791 people today. 259 Chinese have died so far following the virus, with only 46 people dead yesterday and more than 2,102 new patients were found in China.

A number of people have already bypassed that recorded during the outbreak of SARA disease in China in 2002-2003. Of the patients, about 135 were diagnosed in 25 countries, including 19 in Thailand, 17 in Japan, seven in the United States, seven in Germany, three in France, two in the UK, two in Russia, and first cases were also found in Sweden and Spain.

In Germany, the health services announced that two more people were found to be infected with the virus. According to the announcement, the patients are a son and father from Bavaria, where five people with suspected Corona were previously examined. "There are currently only seven known cases of the Corona virus," the statement said.

The Swedish Public Health Agency said a woman who had been tested for her corona virus was kept in isolation in a southern state hospital. "This is a woman who visited the Wuhan area of ​​China and experienced cough symptoms after she returned," the statement said. "She's not seriously ill." In Spain, the Ministry of Health announced that a man from the Canary Islands had been diagnosed with Corona after coming in contact with a German man who had the disease.

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Worshipers in India mosque wearing face masks for fear of contracting the virus (Photo: AP)

Muslim worshipers in mosque in India wearing face masks (Photo: AP)

Due to concerns about the virus outbreak, 62 countries have implemented restrictions on the entry of Chinese civilians into their territories, including Israel. Other countries and airlines today announced cancellation of their flights to and from China until further notice. Iran halted flights, as did American Delta companies, Vietnam Airlines, Australian Qantas and Air New Zealand. In addition, governments around the world are working to restore citizens and diplomats staying throughout China.

The United States declared a medical emergency last night and announced significant steps to tackle the outbreak of the virus, such as banning foreign entry from China. Also, U.S. citizens who have returned from China within the last two weeks will be required to spend two weeks in solitary confinement, according to United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Alex Azar. Ezar also said that the administration restricted flights from China to seven major airports in the United States, and that 200 U.S. citizens were evacuated from China and placed under quarantine for two weeks, in order to monitor their health and reduce other people's risk of contracting the virus.

Also, several countries in Central and South America have announced a ban on travel to its residents in China, as well as have issued restrictions on their citizens returning from the country. Guatemala and El Salvador announced restrictions on its residents returning from China last night. Costa Rica has announced that it will examine its borders well, while Paraguay, in the south of the continent, has announced the suspension of visas that it will give to Chinese citizens who want to enter the country.

Disinfection of subway testing machines in South Korea (Photo: AP)

Concern over corona virus in South Korea, January 29, 2020 (Photo: AP)

On the other side of the world, in Iraq, a decision was made to ban passengers returning from China to Basra International Airport, while the northern city municipality of Tinjin, China, announced last night that the schools and workplaces in the city will remain closed until further notice.

While the World Health Organization declared an emergency following the outbreak of the virus, China's Wuhan City expansion center today said they had to act earlier to eradicate the virus. City Communist Party Chairman Ma Gauqiang explained that the impact of the virus on China and the world could have been weaker if the anti-infection measures had been implemented earlier.

Israelis in China under the Corona virus: "Business is closed, people are sitting at home"

Workers at Sao Paulo airport, Brazil, wearing masks in front of them for fear of contracting the Chinese virus (Photo: AP)

Workers at Sao Paulo airport, Brazil, wear masks in front of them for fear of contracting Chinese virus (Photo: AP)

Mayor Zhao Xianwang emphasized that the mission to prevent the spread of the Corona virus in Wuhan remains "serious and complex." Deputy Mayor Shaw Honglan added that there was still a shortage of additional medical masks and resources.
Earlier today, the United States issued a travel warning to China following the spread of the virus.

Beijing was furious at the decision made when strengthening trade relations between the two countries. After the World Health Organization recommended not to issue similar warnings. The Chinese Ministry of Health said: "The World Health Organization has urged countries to avoid travel restrictions, but shortly thereafter the United States has acted the opposite. It's really vicious."

Travel warning for Israelis too

In Israel, the Foreign Ministry issued a travel warning last night stating that they should avoid traveling to China at this time for fear of contracting the corona virus. "At a hearing today between the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem and the delegations in China, it was decided that the travel warning for China would be updated stating that the Foreign Ministry recommends that citizens not travel to China at this time and that Israeli citizens located in China will consider whether to leave the country as soon as possible."

The Ministry made it clear that "despite the cancellation of direct flights between China and Israel, it is still possible to leave China through Europe or certain destinations in Asia and arrive in the country." The ministry also added that the Israeli delegations in China continue to operate normally, and deal with the few Israelis in the country.