https://img.jakpost.net/c/2020/01/30/2020_01_30_85550_1580355894._large.jpg
Ambulances arrive at Haneda airport in Tokyo on January 30, 2020 after the arrival of the second charter flight from the Chinese city of Wuhan, which was arranged by Japan's government to evacuate its citizens. - Three Japanese evacuated from the epicentre of a deadly new coronavirus outbreak have tested positive for the illness, the government said January 30 as it faced criticism for the country's minimal quarantine procedures. (AFP/STR / JIJI PRESS )

Japan tells citizens to avoid non-essential travel to China

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Japan is advising its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to all of China over the risks of a deadly coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Friday.

The move raises the travel warning for China to a level two on Japan's four-point warning system, advising people to "avoid travel that is not urgent or is not necessary".

Japan had already raised its travel alert for Hubei province where the outbreak began to a level three, warning against any travel to the region.

The top end of the scale advises against all travel and calls for immediate evacuation.

The move comes after Washington also raised its travel warning for US citizens, calling on any nationals in China to "consider departing using commercial means".