Coronavirus: US urges Americans in China to leave amid deadly outbreak

‘Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means’

(Getty Images)

After the World Health Organization classed the coronavirus outbreak as “a Public Health Emergency of International Concern”, Americans in China have been urged to leave the country.

Overnight the US State Department raised its alert from “Reconsider Travel” to “Do Not Travel” because it of a “rapidly spreading outbreak” of the virus.

The official advice says: “Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan.

“Travellers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice.

“Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.

“Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means.”

The State Department in Washington DC has asked “all non-essential US government personnel” defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated a warning for the whole People’s Republic, saying: “There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas.”

US airlines include Delta and United have slashed flights to mainland China.