Wuhan, city at core of China’s coronavirus outbreak, under lockdown

In an attempt to stem the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, China has locked down the central city of Wuhan, which is at the core of the outbreak. It has announced the shutdown of its public transport system and closure of railway stations and airport from Thursday morning.

As on Thursday, the coronavirus had killed 17 people – all in the central Chinese province of Hubei of which Wuhan is the capital – and infected nearly 600.

Official news agency, Xinhua reported that Wuhan “…battling with a pneumonia outbreak has announced to suspend public transportation, and close the airport and railway stations to outgoing passengers, while asking citizens not to leave the city without specific reasons.”