Mongolian President Kh.Battulga issued a decree today (12 February) to ban Tsagaan Sar celebration in order to prevent the spread of the highly infectious coronavirus.

Furthermore, public events related to Tsagaan Sar (Tibetan Lunar New Year) such as religious services at monasteries and exhibitions have been cancelled. Television and radio advertising of events will be stopped immediately.

Currently, number of victims killed by coronavirus infection has risen to 1068 with over 43,000 infected in China and other 25 countries.

In Mongolia, health officials are providing training about coronavirus to over 1000 doctors and have prepared nearly 800 hospital beds. Of these, more than 200 have been provided from the National Centre for Communicable Disease and 100 from the National Emergency Management Agency.