China has curbed travel and stepped up screening to try and curb the spread of the virus which emerged in December. The coronavirus has halted exports of New Zealand rock lobster to China and the $320 million industry is seeking Government assistance. Other food exporters are nervously watching developments too. Rock Lobster Industry Council chief executive Mark Edwards said restaurant closures were occurring "well outside the epicentre" of the viral outbreak in Wuhan, and exports of live lobsters from New Zealand to China stopped last week as a result of the "dramatically" reduced demand. When this photo was taken in 2017, New Zealand rock lobster was selling for up to $1000 a kilo.

Source: Stuff January 29, 2020 03:42 UTC