Qatar Airways to hold flights to China

DOHA

Qatar Airways on Saturday announced it would suspend flights to China starting Feb. 3, due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement, the carrier said it has been facing operational difficulties due to entry restrictions imposed by several countries.

The statement said flights would suspended until further notice.

Since its outbreak late last year, China has put the city of Wuhan, located in Hubei province, under lockdown in a bid to contain the virus and is building a 1,000-bed hospital to treat those affected.

Beyond China, the virus has spread to Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the U.S., Singapore, France, Vietnam and Canada.

Travelers from China are being screened for the virus at airports worldwide. Several airlines have suspended flights to Wuhan.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit