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Coronavirus Live Updates: Delta, United and American Airlines Suspend Flights to China Coronavirus Live Updates: Delta, United and American Airlines Suspend Flights to China
(32 minutes later)
Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines all said on Friday that they are suspending all service to mainland China as concerns about the coronavirus spread internationally. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines all said on Friday that they were suspending all service to mainland China as concerns about the coronavirus spread internationally.
American Airlines said that it was suspending all flights to and from mainland China immediately through March 27. American and United will continue flights to Hong Kong. American said it was suspending all flights to and from mainland China immediately through March 27. American and United will continue flights to Hong Kong.
Delta and United said they would suspend service starting on Feb. 6. United said it expected to resume operations on March 28.Delta and United said they would suspend service starting on Feb. 6. United said it expected to resume operations on March 28.
Delta, which does not fly to Hong Kong, said it would suspend service through April 30. Delta said in a statement that its last flight to mainland China from the United States would depart on Monday and that its last flight to the United States from mainland China would leave on Wednesday. Delta, which does not fly to Hong Kong, said it would suspend service through April 30. Delta said in a statement that its last flight to mainland China from the United States would depart on Monday, and that its last flight to the United States from mainland China would leave on Wednesday.
Delta was the first American airline to completely suspend service to China because of the virus. United Airlines had already reduced its service to the country this week.Delta was the first American airline to completely suspend service to China because of the virus. United Airlines had already reduced its service to the country this week.
Share prices in all three airlines had fallen by midday.Share prices in all three airlines had fallen by midday.
Airlines outside the United States are also clamping down on travel. In Rwanda and Kenya, RwandAir and Kenya Airways said they would cancel all flights to and from Guangzhou, the southern Chinese metropolis, until further notice. There have been no confirmed cases in Africa.Airlines outside the United States are also clamping down on travel. In Rwanda and Kenya, RwandAir and Kenya Airways said they would cancel all flights to and from Guangzhou, the southern Chinese metropolis, until further notice. There have been no confirmed cases in Africa.
Poland’s national airline, LOT Polish Airlines, has suspended flights to China until Feb. 9, a deputy prime minister said on Twitter. More than a dozen people suspected of having the coronavirus are hospitalized in Poland, and over 500 people are being monitored by health services.Poland’s national airline, LOT Polish Airlines, has suspended flights to China until Feb. 9, a deputy prime minister said on Twitter. More than a dozen people suspected of having the coronavirus are hospitalized in Poland, and over 500 people are being monitored by health services.
Iran has suspended all flights to China because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to Reuters. Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported on Friday that all flights from China to the Islamic Republic have also been banned.Iran has suspended all flights to China because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to Reuters. Iran’s semiofficial Tasnim news agency reported on Friday that all flights from China to the Islamic Republic have also been banned.
The United States government has imposed a federal quarantine on 195 people who were evacuated on Wednesday from Wuhan, China, to a California military base, officials said on Friday.The United States government has imposed a federal quarantine on 195 people who were evacuated on Wednesday from Wuhan, China, to a California military base, officials said on Friday.
The action means that the group will be held at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., for 14 days, to ensure that they are not infected with the Wuhan coronavirus that has sickened more than 9,800 people in China and killed more than 200 people. The action means that the group will be held at March Air Reserve Base in Riverside, Calif., for 14 days, to ensure that they are not infected with the coronavirus that has sickened more than 9,800 people in China and killed more than 200 people.
Stocks fell again on Wall Street putting the S&P 500 on course for its worst weekly performance of the year on Friday, after major airlines in the United States announced widespread cancellations of flights to mainland China. The rapid spread of the coronavirus has raised alarms about its impact on global economic growth, and roiled stock markets around the globe this week.
The cancellations, announced by Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, are the latest concrete examples of the economic disruption the coronavirus is dropping on a global economy that had just started to recover from the trade war tensions that dominated 2019. On Friday, the S&P 500 suffered its sharpest decline yet after major airlines in the United States said they would cancel flights to and from mainland China. By 3 p.m. Eastern time, the S&P 500 was on track for its worst daily decline since October. The Dow Jones index fell as much as 600 points earlier in the day.
In afternoon trading, the S&P 500 was down sharply, with losses being led by energy and materials firms that produce the kind of raw materials that have long fueled the Chinese economy. Crude oil prices fell again, with the price of benchmark American oil falling below $52 a barrel. Exxon Mobil dropped by nearly 4 percent. The cancellations by Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines are the latest examples of the economic disruption the coronavirus causing in a global economy that had just started to recover from the trade war tensions that dominated 2019.
Tech shares also suffered. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite dropped 1.3 percent, with giants such as Apple, Microsoft, Google and Facebook all declining. Amazon, however, jumped nearly 9 percent as investors digested the online retail and web services behemoth’s blockbuster fourth-quarter earnings report. Though economists seem certain that the travel shutdowns, factory closures and quarantines in mainland China will dampen economic activity there, they have said it is too soon to know the impact elsewhere in the world.
“It is a wildcard — I think even the experts would confirm that it’s too soon to tell,” said Federal Reserve vice chair Richard Clarida, when asked about the economic fallout from coronavirus in a Friday interview on Bloomberg Television. The Fed is “monitoring closely, but it’s too soon to tell” what the economic impact will be, he said.
Shares of energy and materials companies that supply China with raw materials led the decline. Crude oil prices also fell, with the price of benchmark American oil falling below $52 a barrel. Exxon Mobil dropped by more than 4 percent.
Economists have only begun to sketch out estimates on the likely impact of the shutdown. Many have taken comfort from the economic experience of the SARS outbreak in China in 2002 and 2003, which suggests that any downturn might be limited in scope. SARS coincided with a relatively brief slowdown of global growth in early 2003, that was followed by a sharp rebound.Economists have only begun to sketch out estimates on the likely impact of the shutdown. Many have taken comfort from the economic experience of the SARS outbreak in China in 2002 and 2003, which suggests that any downturn might be limited in scope. SARS coincided with a relatively brief slowdown of global growth in early 2003, that was followed by a sharp rebound.
SARS, however, is an imperfect comparison. And some have suggested the ripple effects of an economic hiccup in China will likely be larger this time. After all, during the SARS outbreak China represented just 5 percent of the global economy. In 2019, that number was 18 percent, according to JPMorgan economists.SARS, however, is an imperfect comparison. And some have suggested the ripple effects of an economic hiccup in China will likely be larger this time. After all, during the SARS outbreak China represented just 5 percent of the global economy. In 2019, that number was 18 percent, according to JPMorgan economists.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has gone up more than tenfold in a week, and Chinese officials on Friday reported the highest death toll in a 24-hour period.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has gone up more than tenfold in a week, and Chinese officials on Friday reported the highest death toll in a 24-hour period.
◆ Forty-three more deaths in China were announced, bringing the toll to 213.◆ Forty-three more deaths in China were announced, bringing the toll to 213.
◆ Nearly 2,000 new cases were recorded in the country in the past 24 hours, raising the worldwide total to nearly 9,800, according to Chinese and World Health Organization data. The vast majority of the cases are inside China; about 100 cases have been confirmed in 19 other countries.◆ Nearly 2,000 new cases were recorded in the country in the past 24 hours, raising the worldwide total to nearly 9,800, according to Chinese and World Health Organization data. The vast majority of the cases are inside China; about 100 cases have been confirmed in 19 other countries.
◆ Tibet has reported its first confirmed case. This means that all of China’s provinces and territories have now been touched by the outbreak.◆ Tibet has reported its first confirmed case. This means that all of China’s provinces and territories have now been touched by the outbreak.
◆ Countries and territories that have confirmed cases: Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, Macau, Russia, France, the United States, South Korea, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Britain, Vietnam, Italy, India, the Philippines, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Finland.◆ Countries and territories that have confirmed cases: Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, Macau, Russia, France, the United States, South Korea, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Britain, Vietnam, Italy, India, the Philippines, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Finland.
◆ Cases recorded in Thailand, Taiwan, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, France and the United States involved patients who had not been to China. No deaths have been reported outside China.◆ Cases recorded in Thailand, Taiwan, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, France and the United States involved patients who had not been to China. No deaths have been reported outside China.
A call has been issued for classes to be canceled at Arizona State University. Basketball games were postponed at Miami University in Ohio. And at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, two students from Wuhan were moved to a special dorm.A call has been issued for classes to be canceled at Arizona State University. Basketball games were postponed at Miami University in Ohio. And at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, two students from Wuhan were moved to a special dorm.
On college campuses across the United States, the global alarm over coronavirus is particularly intense. Hundreds of students are being screened for the virus. Suspected cases at many schools — Baylor, Wesleyan and Tennessee Tech — have turned out to be false alarms, but the anxiety continues.On college campuses across the United States, the global alarm over coronavirus is particularly intense. Hundreds of students are being screened for the virus. Suspected cases at many schools — Baylor, Wesleyan and Tennessee Tech — have turned out to be false alarms, but the anxiety continues.
At A.S.U., where there is one confirmed case of coronavirus, a cough in the back of a classroom now brings nervous glances. Students who had planned to study abroad this semester are furiously adjusting schedules.At A.S.U., where there is one confirmed case of coronavirus, a cough in the back of a classroom now brings nervous glances. Students who had planned to study abroad this semester are furiously adjusting schedules.
Carolyn Kleve, 20, a junior at Arizona State who is 13 weeks pregnant, is afraid.Carolyn Kleve, 20, a junior at Arizona State who is 13 weeks pregnant, is afraid.
“We’re trapped in a room of 20 to 30 people and I don’t know who has what illness,” Ms. Kleve said of her classes. “Have I already come into contact with it? Who knows.”“We’re trapped in a room of 20 to 30 people and I don’t know who has what illness,” Ms. Kleve said of her classes. “Have I already come into contact with it? Who knows.”
A high-ranking Chinese official said on Friday that he felt responsible for the spread of the coronavirus, offering his most direct expression of responsibility for the crisis. Many residents and experts have said that the reluctance by the government in Wuhan — the city of 11 million people at the center of the outbreak — to warn the public about the spreading disease created dangerous complacency.A high-ranking Chinese official said on Friday that he felt responsible for the spread of the coronavirus, offering his most direct expression of responsibility for the crisis. Many residents and experts have said that the reluctance by the government in Wuhan — the city of 11 million people at the center of the outbreak — to warn the public about the spreading disease created dangerous complacency.
“Above all, I feel guilty and remorseful and I reproach myself,” said Feng Guoqiang, the Communist Party secretary of Wuhan. “I’ve been constantly thinking that if I’d made the decision earlier to take the kind of strict controls we have in place now, the outcome would have been much better than now.”“Above all, I feel guilty and remorseful and I reproach myself,” said Feng Guoqiang, the Communist Party secretary of Wuhan. “I’ve been constantly thinking that if I’d made the decision earlier to take the kind of strict controls we have in place now, the outcome would have been much better than now.”
Mr. Feng was asked about his feelings in an interview on China’s main television network, CCTV.Mr. Feng was asked about his feelings in an interview on China’s main television network, CCTV.
Wuhan’s mayor, Zhou Xianwang, who is less powerful than Mr. Feng, said the government’s own laws hindered faster public disclosure.Wuhan’s mayor, Zhou Xianwang, who is less powerful than Mr. Feng, said the government’s own laws hindered faster public disclosure.
The State Department on Thursday night issued a travel advisory telling Americans not to travel to China because of the public health threat posed by the dangerous new coronavirus. The department set the new advisory at Level 4, or red — its highest alert, reserved for the most perilous situations.The State Department on Thursday night issued a travel advisory telling Americans not to travel to China because of the public health threat posed by the dangerous new coronavirus. The department set the new advisory at Level 4, or red — its highest alert, reserved for the most perilous situations.
“Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice,” the State Department said. “Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.”“Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice,” the State Department said. “Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.”
A spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, Hua Chunying, struck back on Friday at the United States’ decision, calling it an unfriendly act at a difficult time for China.A spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, Hua Chunying, struck back on Friday at the United States’ decision, calling it an unfriendly act at a difficult time for China.
“True feeling shines through in hardship,” Ms. Hua said. “Many countries have shown their support and help for China’s fight again the epidemic. By contrast, the United States’ words and deeds are not in keeping with the facts and less are they in keeping with friendship.”“True feeling shines through in hardship,” Ms. Hua said. “Many countries have shown their support and help for China’s fight again the epidemic. By contrast, the United States’ words and deeds are not in keeping with the facts and less are they in keeping with friendship.”
The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the outbreak a global emergency after cases were discovered in more than a dozen countries.The World Health Organization on Thursday declared the outbreak a global emergency after cases were discovered in more than a dozen countries.
Singapore on Friday announced a sweeping ban on Chinese visitors and other foreigners who had been to China in the past 14 days, in an escalation of travel restrictions by the Southeast Asian transportation hub.Singapore on Friday announced a sweeping ban on Chinese visitors and other foreigners who had been to China in the past 14 days, in an escalation of travel restrictions by the Southeast Asian transportation hub.
The city-state will also stop issuing all forms of visas to people holding Chinese passports, Lawrence Wong, the minister for national development, said on Friday.The city-state will also stop issuing all forms of visas to people holding Chinese passports, Lawrence Wong, the minister for national development, said on Friday.
Singapore currently has 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The outbreak and the entry shutdown will be another blow to its economy, which was already hit by the fallout from the United States-China trade war.Singapore currently has 13 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The outbreak and the entry shutdown will be another blow to its economy, which was already hit by the fallout from the United States-China trade war.
Regional neighbors and airlines from countries that have not had any confirmed cases are also taking extra precautions to cope with the rapidly spreading epidemic.Regional neighbors and airlines from countries that have not had any confirmed cases are also taking extra precautions to cope with the rapidly spreading epidemic.
The government of Mongolia, a landlocked country between China and Russia, said on Friday that it would close its border with China until March 2 in an effort to prevent the virus from being imported.The government of Mongolia, a landlocked country between China and Russia, said on Friday that it would close its border with China until March 2 in an effort to prevent the virus from being imported.
The authorities said they would work to bring home 30 Mongolian nationals from Wuhan, and its citizens in China would have until Feb. 6 to return. Non-Chinese foreigners visiting Mongolia will also not be able to enter through China.The authorities said they would work to bring home 30 Mongolian nationals from Wuhan, and its citizens in China would have until Feb. 6 to return. Non-Chinese foreigners visiting Mongolia will also not be able to enter through China.
Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing government, rocked by months of antigovernment protests and public distrust, has come under fire for not sealing off its border with mainland China.Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing government, rocked by months of antigovernment protests and public distrust, has come under fire for not sealing off its border with mainland China.
Hong Kong’s executive, Carrie Lam, on Friday called for “social distancing” as officials asked civil servants to work from home and for schools to stay closed for a few more weeks.Hong Kong’s executive, Carrie Lam, on Friday called for “social distancing” as officials asked civil servants to work from home and for schools to stay closed for a few more weeks.
But Mrs. Lam said in a news conference that she would not seal off Hong Kong from mainland China, saying that such a move was “not in line with W.H.O.’s guideline.”But Mrs. Lam said in a news conference that she would not seal off Hong Kong from mainland China, saying that such a move was “not in line with W.H.O.’s guideline.”
Hong Kong, a semiautonomous territory of China that has been embroiled in anti-Beijing protests for months, has confirmed 12 cases of the coronavirus. All but one victim contracted the disease on the mainland and brought it to Hong Kong, officials say.Hong Kong, a semiautonomous territory of China that has been embroiled in anti-Beijing protests for months, has confirmed 12 cases of the coronavirus. All but one victim contracted the disease on the mainland and brought it to Hong Kong, officials say.
Russia, which shares a 2,600-mile border with China, has also been racing to prevent the spread of the disease. The country reported its first two coronavirus cases on Friday, both in Siberia and among Chinese nationals who had recently traveled to China.Russia, which shares a 2,600-mile border with China, has also been racing to prevent the spread of the disease. The country reported its first two coronavirus cases on Friday, both in Siberia and among Chinese nationals who had recently traveled to China.
Russia closed the border to pedestrians and cars on Thursday, and Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana A. Golikova said that Russia’s border with Mongolia would be closed to Chinese citizens. Russia will also temporarily stop issuing work visas to Chinese citizens, she added.Russia closed the border to pedestrians and cars on Thursday, and Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana A. Golikova said that Russia’s border with Mongolia would be closed to Chinese citizens. Russia will also temporarily stop issuing work visas to Chinese citizens, she added.
On Friday, Britain’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said that two residents had tested positive for coronavirus, the first known cases in the country.On Friday, Britain’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said that two residents had tested positive for coronavirus, the first known cases in the country.
In a statement, Mr. Whitty said the patients were members of the same family.In a statement, Mr. Whitty said the patients were members of the same family.
“The N.H.S. is extremely well prepared and used to managing infections,” Mr. Whitty said. “We are already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had, to prevent further spread.”“The N.H.S. is extremely well prepared and used to managing infections,” Mr. Whitty said. “We are already working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients had, to prevent further spread.”
The announcement came as a flight carrying 83 British and 27 foreign nationals from Wuhan, China, the center of the outbreak, landed in Britain on Friday afternoon.The announcement came as a flight carrying 83 British and 27 foreign nationals from Wuhan, China, the center of the outbreak, landed in Britain on Friday afternoon.
The Britons were to be quarantined at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, in northwest England, according to the BBC. The others will be flown on to Spain.The Britons were to be quarantined at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral, in northwest England, according to the BBC. The others will be flown on to Spain.
The Italian government declared a six-month state of emergency on Friday after the first two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Rome, according to a government official.The Italian government declared a six-month state of emergency on Friday after the first two cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Rome, according to a government official.
In a statement, the government said that it had allocated the “necessary funds” to begin precautionary measures. A government official said on Friday that five million euros (about $5.5 million) had been set aside.In a statement, the government said that it had allocated the “necessary funds” to begin precautionary measures. A government official said on Friday that five million euros (about $5.5 million) had been set aside.
Two Chinese nationals were being held in isolation at Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital, which specializes in infectious diseases, after they tested positive for the virus.Two Chinese nationals were being held in isolation at Rome’s Spallanzani Hospital, which specializes in infectious diseases, after they tested positive for the virus.
The husband and wife arrived in Milan a week ago and traveled to Parma and other cities before arriving in Rome, where the husband began showing flu symptoms, the official said.The husband and wife arrived in Milan a week ago and traveled to Parma and other cities before arriving in Rome, where the husband began showing flu symptoms, the official said.
A group of Chinese tourists that had been traveling with the couple were also being held in isolation at the Spallanzani hospital in Rome, Italian officials said Friday.A group of Chinese tourists that had been traveling with the couple were also being held in isolation at the Spallanzani hospital in Rome, Italian officials said Friday.
Police officers stopped the bus on which they were at a highway toll stop south of Rome and the bus returned to the capital.Police officers stopped the bus on which they were at a highway toll stop south of Rome and the bus returned to the capital.
At present, none of the Chinese visitors showed any symptoms, said the Lazio Region’s councilor for health, Alessio D’Amato, at a news conference on Friday. He said the group had been very collaborative with Italian authorities.At present, none of the Chinese visitors showed any symptoms, said the Lazio Region’s councilor for health, Alessio D’Amato, at a news conference on Friday. He said the group had been very collaborative with Italian authorities.
Three people who had come in contact with the infected couple were also being monitored at home, Mr. D’Amato said.Three people who had come in contact with the infected couple were also being monitored at home, Mr. D’Amato said.
The two cases were announced on Thursday, capping a tense day in Italy, after thousands of passengers had been blocked from leaving a cruise ship that docked at an Italian port for more than 12 hours over concerns that someone aboard might have had the virus. That episode was ultimately found to be a false alarm.The two cases were announced on Thursday, capping a tense day in Italy, after thousands of passengers had been blocked from leaving a cruise ship that docked at an Italian port for more than 12 hours over concerns that someone aboard might have had the virus. That episode was ultimately found to be a false alarm.
A Chinese national with a fever later tested negative for the coronavirus, and the Italian authorities said that passengers were allowed to disembark.A Chinese national with a fever later tested negative for the coronavirus, and the Italian authorities said that passengers were allowed to disembark.
In Germany, the Bavarian state Health Ministry confirmed a sixth case of the virus on Friday: the first child to be infected in the country. The child is related to another coronavirus patient identified this week. All six known cases in Germany are linked to a company based Starnberg, Bavaria.In Germany, the Bavarian state Health Ministry confirmed a sixth case of the virus on Friday: the first child to be infected in the country. The child is related to another coronavirus patient identified this week. All six known cases in Germany are linked to a company based Starnberg, Bavaria.
On Friday, a German Luftwaffe passenger jet left for China to evacuate more than 100 German citizens from Wuhan and Hubei province, according to the German foreign ministry.On Friday, a German Luftwaffe passenger jet left for China to evacuate more than 100 German citizens from Wuhan and Hubei province, according to the German foreign ministry.
Although none of the people on the passenger list appear to be infected, they will spend two weeks in quarantine once they are repatriated.Although none of the people on the passenger list appear to be infected, they will spend two weeks in quarantine once they are repatriated.
As foreign governments evacuated their citizens from China this week, the government of China said it was arranging chartered flights to bring Wuhan residents who were overseas back to the epicenter of the outbreak.As foreign governments evacuated their citizens from China this week, the government of China said it was arranging chartered flights to bring Wuhan residents who were overseas back to the epicenter of the outbreak.
Citing the “practical difficulties recently encountered” by residents abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday that evacuations would begin as soon as possible.Citing the “practical difficulties recently encountered” by residents abroad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Friday that evacuations would begin as soon as possible.
The decision to facilitate people’s return came after Wuhan’s mayor revealed that five million people had left the city last week ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, before travel restrictions were enforced.The decision to facilitate people’s return came after Wuhan’s mayor revealed that five million people had left the city last week ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, before travel restrictions were enforced.
Unnerved by the exodus, some regional countries and territories have banned entry to people from Wuhan or Hubei Province.Unnerved by the exodus, some regional countries and territories have banned entry to people from Wuhan or Hubei Province.
Travel restrictions across China and the suspension of international flights to the country have left Chinese travelers stranded around the world.Travel restrictions across China and the suspension of international flights to the country have left Chinese travelers stranded around the world.
But it was unclear if the Chinese government was also targeting those who had intentionally fled the center of the outbreak. It was similarly unknown where the residents had traveled.But it was unclear if the Chinese government was also targeting those who had intentionally fled the center of the outbreak. It was similarly unknown where the residents had traveled.
Someone stole 25,000 face masks from a warehouse in Hong Kong on Friday as the city, still haunted by memories of SARS nearly 17 years ago, is struggling with a severe shortage.Someone stole 25,000 face masks from a warehouse in Hong Kong on Friday as the city, still haunted by memories of SARS nearly 17 years ago, is struggling with a severe shortage.
The police said 500 boxes containing 50 masks each were reported missing from a building in an industrial neighborhood. The warehouse mostly supplied an e-commerce platform in the city, The Apple Daily newspaper reported.The police said 500 boxes containing 50 masks each were reported missing from a building in an industrial neighborhood. The warehouse mostly supplied an e-commerce platform in the city, The Apple Daily newspaper reported.
The theft came as residents in Hong Kong desperately searched for the item, often displayed at inflated prices, in pharmacies and retailers. In a dangerous practice, families that cannot not afford new disposable masks have resorted to reusing them, according to local reports. The theft came as residents in Hong Kong desperately searched for the item, often displayed at inflated prices, in pharmacies and retailers. In a dangerous practice, families that cannot afford new disposable masks have resorted to reusing them, according to local reports.
Matthew Cheung, the city’s No. 2 official, said Thursday that Hong Kong would use prison labor to boost supplies. Inmates already produce about 50,000 masks each day for hospital and government workers, and they will work around the clock to make millions more, Mr. Cheung said.Matthew Cheung, the city’s No. 2 official, said Thursday that Hong Kong would use prison labor to boost supplies. Inmates already produce about 50,000 masks each day for hospital and government workers, and they will work around the clock to make millions more, Mr. Cheung said.
Nearly 300 people were killed in the city by SARS, a coronavirus that originated in mainland China in 2002.Nearly 300 people were killed in the city by SARS, a coronavirus that originated in mainland China in 2002.
Reporting was contributed by Russell Goldman, Chris Buckley, Elaine Yu, Li Yuan, E. Justin Swanson, Kate Conger, Miriam Jordan, Emma Bubola, Elisabetta Povoledo, Jason Horowitz, Geneva Abdul, Richard C. Paddock, Alex Marshall, Anton Troianovski, Joanna Berendt, Christopher Schuetze, Niraj Chokshi, Tariro Mzezewa, Mike Arnot, Denise Grady, Roni Caryn Rabin, Matt Phillips and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs. Elsie Chen, Zoe Mou, Albee Zhang, Amber Wang, Yiwei Wang and Claire Fu contributed research.Reporting was contributed by Russell Goldman, Chris Buckley, Elaine Yu, Li Yuan, E. Justin Swanson, Kate Conger, Miriam Jordan, Emma Bubola, Elisabetta Povoledo, Jason Horowitz, Geneva Abdul, Richard C. Paddock, Alex Marshall, Anton Troianovski, Joanna Berendt, Christopher Schuetze, Niraj Chokshi, Tariro Mzezewa, Mike Arnot, Denise Grady, Roni Caryn Rabin, Matt Phillips and Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs. Elsie Chen, Zoe Mou, Albee Zhang, Amber Wang, Yiwei Wang and Claire Fu contributed research.