A roundup of all the major developments on coronavirus outbreak today

US consulate to evacuate staff from epidemic-stricken city

BEIJING: The U.S. Consulate in Wuhan will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight Tuesday. A notice Sunday from the embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport U.S. citizens on the flight that will proceed directly to San Francisco.

It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will be given to individuals “at greater risk from coronavirus."

Hong Kong Disneyland says closing over China virus fears

HONG KONG: A day after Hong Kong declared an emergency over the coronavirus breakout, its Disneyland announced it was shutting its doors on Sunday until further notice.

The park said it was taking the step to protect "the health and safety of our guests and cast members" and said refunds would be given.

Ocean Park, a rival amusement park on Hong Kong's main island, said it was also closing its doors.

The emergency move came as city leader Carrie Lam faced criticism in some quarters over her administration's response to the crisis, including calls to halt, or limit, arrivals from the Chinese mainland where the epidemic began.

French carmaker to evacuate expats from Wuhan

PARIS: French carmaker PSA said it would repatriate its expat staff from Wuhan as fears grew that more cases of coronavirus would be found in France. Three cases of the virus have been confirmed in France while Chinese authorities.

The French firm, which makes Peugeot and Citroen, said in a statement the evacuation was being "implemented in full cooperation with the Chinese authorities and French consulate general" and involved 38 people made up of staff members and their families working in the Wuhan region.

Third Chinese city to ban long-distance buses

 BEIJING: A third major city in China will ban long-distance buses, authorities said Sunday. From 6 pm (1000 GMT) Sunday, Xi'an will suspend long-distance buses and tourist chartered buses entering the city of 10 million people, local officials said on the Twitter-like Weibo platform, following the announcement of similar measures in Tianjin and Beijing.

Inter-city taxis will be suspended, except those from the city's airport, the statement said.