The government will consider evacuating New Zealanders from China if it can be sure that poses no risk to New Zealand.
Fifteen Chinese cities are now fully or partially locked down because of the Coronavirus which has killed at least 80 people and infected almost 2,800.
Although most of the cases have occurred inside China, according to the World Health Organisation there have been 44 elsewhere.
Most have been in other Asian countries including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and and South Korea, and several in Australia and the US.
Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Feng Luzha from China's Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, urged anyone who's been in Wuhan - the city at the centre of the outbreak - to stay indoors.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters says the government has to work within the confines of the total embargo on all travel in areas deemed to be high risk.
But it is considering all options to assist affected New Zealanders.
Meanwhile, health authorities here are trying to limit any potential impact from the virus.
Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield speaks to Susie Ferguson.
