Wuhan residents urged not to travel amid virus

The Chinese city at the centre of an international virus alert faced growing isolation Tuesday after its mayor urged residents not to travel and recommended visitors stay away. "In principle, we recommend that if it is not necessary, people who are outside should not come to Wuhan, and citizens of Wuhan should not leave the city if there is no special reason," said Wuhan mayor Zhou Xianwang.

The new coronavirus is believed to have originated in Wuhan. China is striving to control the outbreak which has reached four other countries and territories and threatens to spread further during the Lunar New Year travel rush. Meanwhile, authorities in Wuhan have been using temperature scanners at the city's main train station to try to identify infected people. Face masks have all but sold out in local stores.