The U.S. Department of State announced Thursday that it has upgraded a current travel advisory to level 4, urging Americans not to travel to China amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak.
"Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China," reads the advisory posted Jan. 30.
More than 200 people have died from the virus, according to Chinese authorities. And more than 7,000 have been infected. Recently, a case has been confirmed in Chicago, Illinois.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency early Thursday. The declaration is for all United Nations member states, according toThe New York Times.This means countries can now decide whether to close their borders, cancel flights, screen people arriving at airports or take other measurements.
The government is also asking that Americans in China depart by commercial flights. Read the full statement from the U.S. Department of State below:
Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. On January 30, the World Health Organization has determined the rapidly spreading outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.
Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means. The Department of State has requested that all non-essential U.S. government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus.
In an effort to contain the novel coronavirus, the Chinese authorities have suspended air, road, and rail travel in the area around Wuhan and placed restrictions on travel and other activities throughout the country. On January 23, 2020, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members from Wuhan. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Hubei province.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Warning for all of China.
