China shuts down more cities in bid to contain deadly virus

China decided on Thursday to lock down three cities that are home to more than 18 million people in an unprecedented effort to try to contain a deadly new viral illness that has sickened hundreds and spread to other cities and countries in the Lunar New Year travel rush.

Police, SWAT teams and paramilitary troops guarded Wuhan's train station, where metal barriers blocked the entrances at 10 a.m. sharp (local time). Only travellers holding tickets for the last trains were allowed to enter, with those booked for later trains being turned away.

Normally bustling streets, shopping malls, restaurants and other public spaces in the city of 11 million people were eerily quiet. In addition to the train station, airport, ferry, subway and bus services were also halted.

Similar measures will take effect from Friday in the nearby cities of Huanggang and Ezhou. In Huanggang, theaters, internet cafes and other entertainment centers were also ordered closed.

In Beijing, authorities cancelled "major events" indefinitely, including traditional temple fairs that are a staple of holiday celebrations, according to an announcement by the city's bureau of culture and tourism. It said it was needed to "execute epidemic prevention and control."
"It has not been tried before as a public health measure. We cannot at this stage say it will or it will not work."
Xinhua cited the city's anti-virus task force as saying the measures were taken in an attempt to "effectively cut off the virus spread, resolutely curb the outbreak and guarantee the people's health and safety."
"Party committees, governments and relevant departments at all levels must put people's lives and health first, Xi said Monday. "It is necessary to release epidemic information in a timely manner and deepen international cooperation."