Yesterday the US State Department issued a travel warning for China at the highest level - Do Not Travel - as a result of the rapidly escalating coronavirus outbreak.

Text of the China Travel Advisory reads as follows:

"Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. On January 30, the World Health Organization has determined the rapidly spreading outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Travelers should be prepared for travel restrictions to be put into effect with little or no advance notice. Commercial carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.

"Those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means. The Department of State has requested that all non-essential U.S. government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus.

"In an effort to contain the novel coronavirus, the Chinese authorities have suspended air, road, and rail travel in the area around Wuhan and placed restrictions on travel and other activities throughout the country. On January 23, 2020, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency U.S. personnel and their family members from Wuhan. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Hubei province.

"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Warning for all of China."

The coronavirus outbreak is already taking a serious toll on the tourism industry, with all outbound tours from China suspended by the government, and mass cancellations of trips both inbound and outbound.

Stay tuned for updates.