HONG KONG – On Tuesday, Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam said that high-speed rail and ferry links from Hong Kong to mainland China shall be suspended as it scrambles to curb the spread of the new coronavirus.
Ove 100 people have died as a result of the virus since December emerging from China’s Wuhan. By Monday, confirmed cases were up to 4515, almost doubling from 2835 a day before.
Starting Thursday at midnight, the High-Speed Rail and Intercity Through Train services shall be suspended and flights to mainland China shall be halved. Personal travel permits from Hong Kong to mainland China shall also be suspended.
Lam addressed a news conference and thanked the central government for their support on the matter and offered gratitude to mainland ministries and commissions for their co-operation.
Lam, sporting a green mask, urged residents of Hong Kong to return from the mainland soon and remain home quarantined for 2 weeks.
On Wednesday, Hong Kong’s financial markets are set to reopen following the Lunar New Year holiday.
100 patients were under quarantine and eight people were confirmed to be infected.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.