Australia: Qantas suspends flights to China February 1 /update 1

Qantas announces on February 1 that it will suspend flights to China; further spread of the virus is possible
Read all related news alert(s):
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Australia: Government reintroduces some lockdown restrictions in Melbourne from July 8 /update 35
Australia: Victoria-New South Wales border to close on July 7 /update 34
Australia: Authorities to reimpose COVID-19 lockdown measures in parts of Melbourne (Victoria state) July 4 /update 33
Australia: New South Wales authorities postpone reopening of state borders June 30 /update 32
Australia: Victoria state introduces mandatory COVID-19 testing for returning travelers June 28 /update 31
Australia: Western Australia announces COVID-19 restrictions to end from July 18 /update 30
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Australia: NSW and Victoria announce easing of COVID-19 measures on June 14 /update 28
Australia: Government announces further easing of lockdown measures in some areas June 12 /update 27
Australia: Authorities announce easing of COVID-19 measures from June /update 26
Australia: Victoria state relaxes COVID-19 restrictions from May 12 /update 25
Australia: New South Wales to ease COVID-19 lockdown restrictions from May 15 /update 24
Australia: Quantas Group extends international flight suspension May 5 /update 23
Australia: Northern Territory to lift majority of lockdown restrictions from May 1 /update 22
Australia: COVID-19 restrictions to ease in New South Wales May 1 /update 21
Australia: COVID-19 restrictions eased in Western Australia and Queensland states April 27 and May 2 /update 20
Australia: Government announces lockdown extension April 16 /update 19
Australia: State of emergency extended in Victoria until May 11 /update 18
Australia: Virgin Australia cancels most domestic flights April 9 /update 17
Australia: Further domestic and international travel restrictions due to COVID-19 March 29 /update 16
Australia: Non-essential services suspended and public spaces close March 23 /update 15
Australia: All non-citizens banned from entering the country March 20 /update 14
Australia: Government advises “Do Not Travel” due to COVID-19 March 18 /update 13
Australia: Victoria declares state of emergency due to coronavirus March 16 /update 12
Australia: Government issues more post-entry restrictions for all foreigners March 15 /update 11
Australia: Government limits large gatherings due to COVID-19 March 16 /update 10
Australia: Government includes Italy in entry ban March 11 /update 9
Australia: Entry restrictions expanded to travelers from South Korea March 5 /update 8
Australia: Entry restrictions for travelers to or from Iran due to COVID-19 February 29 /update 7
Australia: Entry restrictions for travelers from China extended due to COVID-19 February 27 /update 6
Australia: Qantas and Jetstar reduce flights across Asia amid fall in demand February 20 /update 5
Australia: Coronavirus (COVID-19) travel ban extended to February 29 /update 4
Australia: Travel restrictions extended due to COVID-19 February 13 /update 3
Australia: Government advises against all travel to China February 1 /update 2
Australia: First cases of 2019-nCoV confirmed January 25
Event
Qantas Airways announced on Saturday, February 1, that it will suspend services in China from Sunday, February 9, due to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (2019-nCoV), which originated in Wuhan (Hubei province, China) in December 2019. This includes suspending its flights to Beijing and Shanghai from February 9, through Sunday, March 29. Airline representatives said that this will not affect flights to Hong Kong. They also said that the February 9 date of suspension as well as the date of flight resumption may change according to the circumstances.
There are 10 confirmed cases nationwide as of February 1. Further international spread of the 2019-nCoV virus is to be expected over the coming days and weeks.
Context
The first case of 2019-nCoV was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.
Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than 20 countries and territories worldwide. Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed in Germany, Japan, the US, and Vietnam. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the ongoing novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak is a "public health emergency of international concern."
Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.
Advice
Potentially impacted travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. Individuals are advised to take precautionary measures to reduce their risk of contracting the virus:
• Avoid all contact with animals (dead or alive); avoid eating animal products that are undercooked; avoid all markets where animals are sold
• Avoid all close contact with people displaying symptoms of the disease (e.g. difficulties breathing)
• Frequently wash hands, wear a face mask
• Individuals within China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to seek medical attention, avoid contact with other people, and wash hands regularly
• Adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments
• Travelers returning from China developing symptoms of pneumonia are advised to call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to avoid spread of the disease
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