China banned wildlife trade nationwide in markets, supermarkets, restaurants, and e-commerce platforms due to the coronavirus outbreak, the country's market watchdog, agricultural ministry, and forestry bureau said in a joint statement.
Any places that breed wildlife should be isolated, and the transportation of wildlife should be banned, said the statement.
The ban will take effect from Sunday.
The virus which has infected more than 2,000 people globally and killed 56 people in China has been traced to a seafood market in Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife.
Virus's ability to spread getting stronger
China's National Health Commission Minister Ma Xiaowei said on Sunday the transmission ability of the coronavirus is getting stronger and that the number of infections could continue to rise.
Ma, speaking at a press briefing, also said authorities' knowledge of the new virus is limited and that they are unclear on the risks posed by mutations of the virus.
