China on Monday accused the US of spreading "panic" through its actions like travel bans and evacuation of diplomats and said there was no "substantial help" from Washington to contain the virus that has killed 361 people and infected 17,205 others in the country.
The deadly virus — first emerged in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province — has spread to 25 countries, including India, the US and the UK.
Joining a growing list of nations to impose travel restrictions, the US has announced a 14-day travel ban on all visitors from China, regardless of their nationality. The US citizens arriving from China's virus-hit Hubei province will have to undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine on arrival, while those travelling to other parts of China will face screening and monitoring. A CNN report said the mandatory quarantine is the first time the US has issued such an order in 50 years. "What the US has done could create and spread panic," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said addressing the first online media briefing.
"The US Government has not provided any substantive help to the Chinese side yet. On the contrary, it was the first to withdraw its consulate staff from Wuhan, the first to suggest the partial withdrawal of embassy staff, the first to announce a ban on entry by Chinese citizens after the WHO made it clear that it doesn't recommend or even opposes travel and trade restrictions against China," she said.