Russia closes its eastern border as killer coronavirus spreads to EVERY region of China: Death toll jumps to 170 and almost 8,300 people have caught the deadly SARS-like infection worldwide
Russia’s Prime Minister said it had to ‘do everything it could to protect its people’
Country will also stop issuing Chinese citizens with electronic visas as of today
Comes after every corner of China was confirmed to have cases of coronavirus
Deaths have also risen to 170, with 38 patients succumbing in the deadliest day
By STEPHEN MATTHEWS HEALTH EDITOR
DAILYMAIL.COM
30 January 2020
Russia has closed its border with China in a desperate bid to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus that has so far killed 170 people.
The drastic measure was announced on Thursday after every corner of China was confirmed to have cases of the highly contagious disease.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said it was necessary because the country ‘had to do everything it could to protect its people’. He said it would come into effect immediately.
As well as shutting off the Far East border, Russia has limited all railway links with China from January 31, leaving only direct trains between Moscow and Beijing.
Mr Mishustin also revealed Russia will stop issuing Chinese citizens electronic visas, which could be used to cross into parts of the country.
Russia does not have any confirmed cases of the new virus but the government has set up a task force to track down and screen people who have travelled from Wuhan, to prevent its possible spread.
Earlier this week, Russia blocked tourist groups from China from entering the country.
Chinese officials have now confirmed almost 8,200 cases, while more than 100 have been recorded outside of nation.
International developments in the Wuhan coronavirus crisis today include:
The number of cases has jumped to more than 8,200 and 170 people have died in China
India and the Philippines declared their first cases, meaning the virus has plagued 22 countries or territories outside of China
A cruise ship with 7,000 people on board is being held off the Italian coast after a Chinese woman fell ill with a suspected case of coronavirus
Britains trapped in Wuhan will be evacuated on a chartered plane at 5am local time
Dozens will not make the flight because they have no means of transport across the city, which has been on lockdown for a week with buses and taxis banned
Three Japanese people taken home on the evacuation flight have been diagnosed with the coronavirus
World Health Organization will meet this afternoon to reconsider whether to declare a global emergency
British Airways extended the cancellation of flights connecting London to Beijing and Shanghai until March
Surgical face masks sell out in the UK as Brits panic buy protective gear amid fears the virus will hit home soil
The Rest…HERE
