China suspends group tours amid novel coronavirus outbreak

China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism has issued a circular requiring the suspension of travel products nationwide in an effort to reduce passenger flows amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Travel agencies and online travel service providers are asked to cancel group tours and travel packages that include flight tickets and hotels.

Tour groups that have departed can complete the trip as scheduled, but close attention should be paid to the health of travelers and protective measures should be taken to ensure their health, the circular said.

It also specified that the legitimate requests of the travelers to adjust travel schedules and ask for a refund should be addressed appropriately.