Russia shares a 4,209km-long border with China, which is called the Sino-Russian border. Credit: Martin Rodriguez.

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Russia has closed its 4,209km-long border with China in a bid to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

With its origins in the Chinese city of Wuhan, coronavirus has so far killed 213 people and infected 9,776 people in 23 countries.

Russia has also decided to limit rail services to and from China, starting from 31 January. The country will now only operate direct trains between Beijing and Moscow.

The government later clarified that the restriction only applies to passenger movement and not to freight trade between the two countries.

E-visas will not be issued for Chinese nationals at the country’s Far East and the Kaliningrad region.

However, the country is yet to make a decision regarding air traffic between Russia and China.

Russia, which has not confirmed any cases of coronavirus within its borders so far, has also said that it is working with China to develop a vaccine.

In addition, Russia has blocked Chinese tour groups from entering the country and has also asked Chinese students studying in Russia that have gone back for the Lunar New Year to stay in China until 1 March 2020.

On 28 January, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that authorities are restricting travel with mainland China to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

In other news, the World Health Organisation (WHO) emergency committee has declared the coronavirus outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern.