Coronavirus: Emirates asks Beijing passengers to check-in eight hours before flight for ‘medical tests’

Passengers will be subject to ‘additional medical tests’ before departing Beijing

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As airlines around the world cancel flights to China amid the deadly coronavirus outbreak, Emirates is asking passengers in Beijing to check-in eight hours before their flight.

Major airlines including British Airways, American Airlines, KLM and Lufthansa have pulled flights to mainland China, as the coronavirus outbreak has so far killed 425 people and made thousands more ill.

Emirates is axing flights from Dubai to the mainland hubs of Guangzhou and Shanghai from tomorrow, 5 February, at the request of the UAE authorities.

It is continuing flights to Beijing and Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China.

However, passengers leaving the Chinese capital for Dubai will be subject to “additional medical tests” when checking in, Emirates said.

From 5 February, the Dubai-based airline is asking passengers to get to the airport eight hours before their flight leaves Beijing.

The Independent has asked Emirates for further guidance on what these tests will involve.

Many countries around the world have announced travel restrictions for China passengers, including the US, Italy, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the UK foreign office has advised against all but essential travel to China, meaning any passenger who travels against official advice faces invalidating their travel insurance.