BEIJING/SHANGHAI — Residents of China’s Hubei province, where the new coronavirus outbreak was first reported, will be banned from entering Hong Kong from Monday as China tries to halt the rapid spread of the outbreak. SARS was a coronavirus that originated in China and killed nearly 800 people globally in 2002 and 2003. “According to recent clinical information, the virus’ ability to spread seems to be getting somewhat stronger,” Ma told reporters. Hong Kong, which has six confirmed cases, will also ban entry from Monday to people who have visited Hubei province in the past 14 days, the city’s government said. Beijing also postponed the reopening of the city’s schools and universities after the Lunar New Year holiday, state radio reported.

Source: National Post January 26, 2020 16:18 UTC