With the deadly Novel Corona virus claiming as many as 106 lives and infecting 4,500 people globally, the World Health Organization, WHO, has called on the international community to remain calm and not overreact. The WHO Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has also assured Beijing all necessary help to contain the virus outbreak. Nations across the globe are pushing for evacuation of their citizens from China’s virus-hit Hubei province. India, US and several other countries are finalizing plans to evacuate their citizens from Hubei province, the epi-centre of the virus outbreak. However, the WHO has categorically said that it does not recommend the evacuation of foreign nationals.
Over 250 Indians, mostly students, research scholars and professionals are working in Indian and international companies in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. Thousands of foreign nationals from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh besides a large number of people from African countries were reportedly held up in the virus-hit province.
China has permitted to evacuate citizens of US and various other countries which had Consulates in Wuhan. Japan has already sent a plane to Wuhan last night to evacuate its citizens. The plane is expected to return to Tokyo today with several hundred Japanese nationals. Around 200 people are expected to be onboard the first flight, of around 650 Japanese nationals in the area who have expressed an interest in being repatriated.
France will also send a plane to Wuhan tomorrow to start evacuating its citizens. Some 500 to 1,000 French citizens are eligible for repatriation.
Earlier on Sunday, the WHO has declared the global risk of the new virus as high but stopped short of designating it an international public health emergency. The WHO has urged countries in South and Southeast Asia, including Nepal and Thailand to strengthen readiness to rapidly detect any case of the virus and prevent its spread.
The virus outbreak has not only alarmed the world but has also been affecting global economies. Businesses around the world that have grown increasingly reliant on big-spending tourists from China are taking a heavy hit. Hotels, airlines, casinos and cruise operators were among the industries suffering immediate repercussions, especially with the outbreak occurring during the New Year, one of the biggest travel season in Asia.
Economist and tourism industry officials said the biggest threat so far is to China’s closest neighbors, with the US and Europe likely to face major repercussions. In Thailand, officials estimate potential lost revenue at 50 billion baht (1.6 billion US dollars). Spillover is also probable in Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines.
China remains the fifth-largest source of foreign tourism to the US, behind Canada, Mexico, the UK and Japan.
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