10 February 2020 - 17:48Chinese President Xi Jinping visits a prevention and control unit at Anhuali Community in Beijing, China, February 10 2020. Picture: XINHAU/REUTERS
Xi has largely kept out of the public eye since the virus outbreak spread from the epicentre in Hubei province to infect 40,626 people so far. The death toll was at 908 people. The outbreak has prompted unprecedented action by the Chinese government, including locking down entire cities in Hubei province as well as cutting transport links nationwide, closing tourist attractions and telling hundreds of millions of people to stay indoors.• Capital Economics said on Monday the outbreak will cost the global economy more than $280bn in the first three months of the year, putting an end to a 43-quarter global growth streak.
• Amazon.com has pulled out of February's Mobile World Congress in Spain because of reported cases there. The announcement is another blow to one of the telecom industry’s biggest gatherings which attracts more than 100,000 visitors to Barcelona. • Nissan Motor is suspending work at a Japanese assembly plant for two days in the coming week because of disruption to the supply of automobile parts due to the outbreak.
• Residents from Hong Kong and Macau are barred from entering Taiwan starting from February 11 as the island tries to contain the coronavirus. Those approved for entry will be quarantined or 14 days on arrival. Taipei-Hong Kong is one of the busiest international flight routes.