United is among international carriers with regular flights to Shanghai. Photo: Getty
Getty
Thousands of travelers that departed from cities in mainland China ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday last week are now awaiting word on whether U.S. and other carriers will suspend direct flights to the country amid a deadly virus outbreak that has killed at least 132 and sickened almost 6,000 people.
British Airways announced yesterday that it would halt flights, citing a British government advisory against non-essential travel to China. Lion Air and Seoul have also done so. (See announcement here.)
The virus reportedly can transmitted for a week with no sign of sickness.
United, Delta and American Airlines are among U.S. airlines with flights to the country.
Hong Kong stocks fell by 2.8% on Wednesday amid concerns about the economic fallout from the spread of the virus. Decliners included Internet heavyweight Alibaba and casino operator Sands China. Starbucks said yesterday it has closed about half of its more than 4,000 stores in China in connection with the disease.
China has locked down more than a dozen cities affecting more than 50 million people in an unprecedented effort to block the spread of the virus. The U.S. this week evacuated more than 200 people from Wuhan, the Chinese city hit hardest by the virus so far.
-@rflannerychina
