China reported an increase Tuesday in cases of the new coronavirus coming from abroad, as the country where the disease first emerged now worries about importing infections.

In total there have been 13 confirmed cases of the virus being imported to the mainland -- all in Chinese nationals returning from overseas.

More than 3,100 people have died and over 90,000 have been infected worldwide.

The vast majority of cases are in China, but South Korea, Italy and Iran have emerged as the countries with the most cases outside the epicentre.

Eight Chinese nationals who worked in the same restaurant in Italy's northern Lombardy region have tested positive for the virus in eastern Zhejiang province, according to the local government.

They flew home to China from Italy last week.

There have also been four confirmed cases of infections originating in Iran -- two in Beijing and two in the northern Ningxia region -- and one case in the southern city of Shenzhen in a person who had travelled from Britain via Hong Kong.

China has been implementing a series of measures to try and prevent its containment efforts being undone by cases brought into the country.

Those arriving in the capital from virus-hit countries -- including South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan -- must self-quarantine for 14 days, the deputy secretary of Beijing's government said at a press briefing Tuesday.

"If their destination is Beijing, everyone should be quarantined no matter whether they are Chinese or foreigners," said the official, Chen Bei.

Those with a fixed residence should stay home, he said, while those without anywhere to stay would do "concentrated medical observation at a designated hotel".

Officials in southern Guangdong province announced Tuesday they would implement similar measures, without confirming specific countries, while state media reported that Shanghai was also introducing the same rule for nations with high numbers of virus cases.

Also on Tuesday, officials in Dandong -- which borders North Korea -- announced everyone entering the city from abroad needed to be tested.

China is chartering a flight on Tuesday to bring home Chinese citizens stranded Iran, especially those in the hard-hit city of Qom, the state-owned Global Times reported.

Passengers will have to register and pay for the flight, which is not considered an evacuation, the Global Times said.

Hundreds of passengers from South Korea arriving in eastern China last week were placed in isolation after people on two flights were discovered to have fevers.

No infections have been confirmed so far.

Coronavirus: latest developments worldwide
Hong Kong (AFP) March 3, 2020 - Infections drop dramatically in China but surge abroad, the US death toll rises to six and the World Health Organization (WHO) warns we are in "uncharted territory".

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.

- World spread -

To date, more than 3,100 have died from the new virus, while more than 90,000 have been infected in 73 countries and territories around the world, according to AFP's latest toll based on official sources at 0600 GMT Tuesday.

Mainland China, excluding the semi-autonomous territories of Hong Kong and Macao, has 80,026 cases, including 2,943 deaths. Elsewhere in the world, 10,134 cases and 166 deaths have been recorded.

China reports an increase in cases coming from abroad, as the country where the disease first emerged now worries about importing infections.

South Korea remains the hardest-hit country after mainland China, with 4,335 cases and 28 deaths, followed by Italy (2,036 cases and 52 deaths), Iran (1,501 cases and 66 deaths) and Japan (254 cases, 12 deaths). More than 700 cases have been registered on the Diamond Princess cruise ship anchored off Japan.

In Germany the number of infected people has almost doubled over the weekend, reaching 157.

France, another coronavirus hotspot in Europe, has registered some 130 people infected since late January, three of whom have died.

The 27-nation EU raised the coronavirus risk to "moderate to high".

Andorra, the Czech Republic, Indonesia, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and Senegal confirm their first cases.

- OECD lowers growth forecasts -

The OECD lowers its global growth forecast for 2020 by half a percentage point to 2.4 percent, the worst performance since the 2008 crisis.

In China, annual economic growth is expected to reach just 4.9 percent, a 0.8 point drop from the OECD's original growth forecasts announced last November.

EU Commissioner Thierry Breton says the EU's tourism sector has lost around a billion euros per month since January and warns of a risk of recession in Germany and Italy.

Australia's central bank slashes interest rates to a record low and says it is ready to take further action to support the economy if needed.

In the Chinese enclave of Macao, casinos announce a fall in gaming revenue of nearly 88 percent in February.

- Global measures -

In South Korea, subject to travel restrictions by more than 70 countries, dozens of major events are cancelled.

Hong Kong postpones its Vinexpo trade fair from May to July.

A sixth person dies in the northwestern US state of Washington and President Donald Trump faces criticism over his administration's preparedness.

A plane carrying UN medical experts and aid touches down in Iran on a mission to help it tackle its outbreak, as European powers say they will send further help.

The Louvre in Paris, the world's most visited museum, is closed for a second day running after staff again refuse to work.

In Israel, where legislative elections are taking place, special polling stations are set up for more than 5,000 Israelis under quarantine.

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Hong Kong pets face coronavirus quarantine after dog tests positive
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