FILE PHOTO: Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca speaks during a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, January 24, 2020. REUTERS/Cagla Durak/File Photo

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Saturday that all passenger flights to and from Italy, Iraq and South Korea had been halted due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The measure will be effective 12 a.m. on Sunday, he said, adding the land crossings between Turkey and neighbouring Iraq had also been closed. Turkey had previously halted passenger flights to and from Iran and China.