Car sales in China fall 92% in February

Car sales in China fell 92% in the first half of February as the coronavirus
shutdown took its toll, according to an industry trade body. Car dealerships
have remained closed while buyers have stayed away to prevent the
spread of the deadly virus.
Nationwide car sales slumped 96% in the first week of February to a daily
average of just 811 vehicles. The China Passenger Car Association
(CPCA) said it hoped sales would pick up as more showrooms reopened.
"There was barely anybody at car dealers in the first week of February as
most people stayed at home," said CPCA secretary general Cui Dongshu.
Dealers have gradually restarted operations this month, and the automobile
trade body is hoping sales will improve during the second half of February.
Chinese car maker Geely has just launched a "contactless" service that lets
customers buy its cars online and get them delivered directly to their
homes.

Coronavirus: Gulf states suspend more flights

Gulf states have imposed more flight restrictions in an effort to try to slow
the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. The United Arab Emirates (UAE)
has suspended all flights to and from Iran apart from Tehran.
Bahrain has suspended all flights to and from Dubai and Sharjah in the
UAE until further notice. Oman, Jordan, Kuwait, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have
already suspended flights to Iran after cases there.
Airlines around the world have been forced to reduce flights as countries try
to stop the spread of the potentially deadly disease.
On Tuesday, Dubai's airport authority said that it had suspended all flights
to and from Iran with the exception of the capital Tehran.

Passengers arriving from Tehran will be screened, it said. Customers have

been urged to contact their airlines if they need to rebook flights. In
addition, the Kingdom of Bahrain has suspended all scheduled passenger
flights to and from Dubai until further notice, the airport authority said.
On Monday, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain reported their
first cases of coronavirus, all involving people who had travelled from Iran.
On the same day Iran denied a cover-up over how many there had died
from the disease.
To try to prevent the spread of the virus, Iranian authorities have ordered
the nationwide cancellation of concerts, football matches, and closures of
schools and universities in many provinces, as a precaution.