New Zealand extends ban on China arrivals

Monday, 24 February 2020 09:12

New Zealand has extended its ban on travellers arriving from China, amidst efforts to block exposure to the coronavirus.

The ban, which is being reviewed every 48 hours, has been extended for another eight days.

During a press conference, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there are no plans to widen the ban to other countries.

Despite no confirmed infections, she said it was highly likely the virus would eventually arrive in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, South Korea, which has seen a spike in cases, has become the biggest coronavirus centre outside China.

It reported 161 more coronavirus cases on Monday, taking the nationwide total to 763. Two more people had died, taking the toll to seven.

More from International News

Britain working with allies to support shipping through Strait of Hormuz

Britain is working with allies on a range of options to support commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in the face of Iranian threats, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Tuesday as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran roils oil prices.
Five Iranian women's soccer players granted humanitarian visas in Australia

Australia on Tuesday granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women soccer players after they sought asylum, fearing persecution on their return home for their refusal to sing the national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Almost 700,000 displaced after Israeli strikes on Lebanon, UN agencies say

The humanitarian crisis in Lebanon has deepened amid the wider Middle East war, with 84 children killed and more than 667,000 people displaced, two UN agencies said on Tuesday.
Iran fighting back but not stronger than U.S. thought, top U.S. general says

Iran is fighting back but is not tougher than the U.S. military expected before the war, the top U.S. general told reporters on Tuesday, as the Pentagon promised its most intense day of strikes in the 10-day-old conflict.