The central Chinese city of Wuhan is beefing up measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, which has infected 219 people on the mainland and was detected in Thailand, Japan and South Korea.

The Wuhan Municipal Health Commission has said local tourist groups are banned from traveling outside of the city and vehicles entering and leaving will be subject to spot checks.

Local authorities will continue to exercise control over entry and exit into Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market, the suspected source of the novel coronavirus.