Mongolia has suspend deliveries of coal across its southern border into China until March 2 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The desicion came from emergency meeting of National Emergency Commission on Monday after 12 truck drivers were isolated in the South Gobi Province with suspected coronavirus.

Exports via the border crossings of Gashuunsukhait, Shiveekhuren, Bichigt and Bulgan will all be stopped, the commission said.

Mongolia has already stopped any foreign national from entering the country via China. The country has not yet reported any cases of infection.

Mongolia exported a total of 36.4 million tons of coal in 2019, according to the Mongolian Customs General Administration (MCGA). This was a slight decrease compared to the previous year after Mongolia exported a total of 36.5 million tons of coal in 2018, an all-time high.

Coal is Mongolia’s main export commodity. Mongolia has set a goal of increasing coal exports to 40 million tons in the coming years.