Audio By Carbonatix
China has announced a temporary ban on all foreign visitors, even if they have visas or residence permits.
The country is also limiting Chinese and foreign airlines to one flight per week, and flights must not be more than 75% full.
Although China reported its first locally-transmitted coronavirus case for three days on Friday, almost all its new cases now come from abroad.
There were 55 new cases across China on Thursday - 54 of them from overseas.
What are the new rules?
The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was "suspending the entry of foreign nationals" because of the "rapid spread of Covid-19 across the world".
The suspension applies to people with visas and residence passes, but not to diplomats or those with C visas (usually aircraft crew).
People with "emergency humanitarian needs" or those working in certain fields can apply for exceptions.
Although the rules seem dramatic, many foreign airlines had already stopped flying to China - and a number of cities already had restrictions for arrivals.
Last month, for example, Beijing ordered everyone returning to the city into a 14-day quarantine.
What is the coronavirus situation in China?
Although the virus emerged in China, it now has fewer cases than the US and fewer deaths than Italy and Spain.
There have been 81,340 confirmed cases in China and 3,292 deaths, the National Health Commission said on Friday.
In total, 565 of those confirmed cases were classed as "imported" - either foreigners coming into China, or returning Chinese nationals.
In Hubei - the province where the outbreak began - there were no new confirmed or suspected cases on Thursday.
The lockdown in provincial capital Wuhan, which began in January, will be eased on 8 April.
Latest Stories
-
Daily Insight for CEOs: The CEO’s role in governance, ethics, and risk focus for the year ahead
2 minutes -
Curator, one other arrested over unauthorised tree felling at Aburi Botanical Gardens
5 minutes -
Cape Coast to expect power outage on Tuesday due to upgrade works
21 minutes -
Access Bank Ghana deepens financial inclusion with opening of 57th branch in Swedru
24 minutes -
VP urges commuters and operators to protect government transport assets
25 minutes -
GNFS launches National Inter-Market Fire Safety Competition at Malata Market
27 minutes -
Mammoth welcome for Bawumia in Ashanti Region as he begins final charge towards NPP flagbearer
31 minutes -
Sam George hails Deputy Minister as key partner in strengthening communications sector
42 minutes -
Ex-manager case: Black Sherif’s contract breach deemed ‘technical’ as court awards GH₵50k instead of GH₵1.1m demand
57 minutes -
GRA launches AI-powered system to boost revenue and curb customs fraud
1 hour -
DVLA launches plans for permanent office in Jomoro to improve service delivery
1 hour -
Bekwai Court jails houseboy for pouring acid on SHS leaver
1 hour -
Ablekuma Fan milk residents protest over bad roads
1 hour -
Gov’t aware of transport challenges, taking steps to fix them– Vice President
1 hour -
TTAG advises teacher trainees to stay home as CETAG strike remains unresolved
1 hour
