BEIJING: The State Council of China has said that the Chinese government extended the Lunar New Year holiday till 2 February 2020.
A statement issued by State Council said on Monday, the Lunar New Year holiday to till 2 February to try and reduce the spread of a virus which has infected thousands.
The holiday, which sees hundreds of millions of people travel around the country to visit family, was due to finish Thursday this week.
The announcement comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that the spread of a deadly new virus is accelerating and the country is facing a grave situation.
The number of people killed in China by the new coronavirus has risen to 81, with almost 3,000 confirmed ill.
Several other nations are also dealing with a handful of cases, with patients being treated in isolation.
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