BEIJING: China said it is closing its borders to foreigners starting March 28, in what has been said to be a dramatic move in a bid to stop the coronavirus coming in from foreign countries.

The latest move is one of the strings of tough steps by the Beijing government to combat the virus, which first appeared Wuhan of China late in 2019 and has spread widely since.

China’s civil aviation authority has slashed several incoming and outgoing flights to a maximum of one per airline per a foreign country each week.

Likewise, China has also limited flights to passenger load factors of 75 percent or lower.

The government of Shanghai, has meanwhile, instructed most of the passengers entering the country to undergo a 14-day quarantine from Thursday.

Beijing has already adopted such a measure. Shanghai, previously, had not been quarantining people without symptoms.

Beijing has not made it clear how long the closure of the border to foreigners will remain in place.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Immigration said in diplomats, plane, vessel crews, and some select others with specific types of visas would be exempted.

According to the notice issued by the Ministry, the suspension is a temporary measure, which the country is compelled to take because of the outbreak situation and practices of other countries.

It said that China will stay in touch with all sides and will handle personnel exchanges with the rest of the world.

For foreign nationals seeking entry to China for trade, economic, scientific or technological activities, they can ‘still apply’ at its consulates or embassies.

China has begun imposing quarantines and limits on the flow of people domestically as the outbreak spread.

China has gradually tightened screening and quarantining of inbound passengers. It said all the travelers coming to China from abroad are required to be tested for the coronavirus.

(With inputs from Agencies)