HK cancels tour groups to mainland

Three close contacts with two patients confirmed to have the novel coronavirus infection were found to have symptoms, the Hong Kong SAR government announced on Friday.

Hong Kong has also cancelled tour groups to the Chinese mainland amid Chinese New Year, as the novel coronavirus epidemic is expected to hit harder due to the high volume of people moving around for the holiday.

The close contacts have been taken to Princess Margaret Hospital for quarantine after developing symptoms including fever, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection Chuang Shuk-kwan told the media on Friday.

One close contact, who sat in the front or back row of the first confirmed patient’s train, had fever and diarrhea on Thursday. Test results will be available as early as Saturday, Chuang said.

Chuang added the CHP hotline (2125 1122) had received 160 inquiries and found some contacts with the patients. Some had symptoms and needed to be taken to hospital for tests, but she did not disclose the number.

According to the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, all 2,600 tour groups from Hong Kong to the Chinese mainland have been halted, affecting 91,000 people.

EGL Tours canceled all mainland tours departing from Jan 24 to Feb 29, affecting more than 4,000 tourists. Tour groups leaving on March 1 are still on schedule, but could be adjusted depending on the conditions of their destinations.

Chinese Travel Service, Sunflower Travel and Wing On Travel also announced the cancellation of tours to the mainland.

A number of scenic spots on the mainland stopped receiving tourists due to the outbreak of coronavirus, including the Palace Museum in Beijing.