UP to 58 million people have been forced into indefinite lockdown in China’s Hubei province - the region at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.

New lockdown measures- introduced on Sunday - dictate that only one family member can leave the house once every three days to buy supermarket essentials.

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9 A Chinese woman walks through a nearly empty and shuttered commercial street following new lockdown measures Credit: Getty Images - Getty

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The province’s 200,000 rural communities - home to 24 million people - will also be sealed shut, accessible for community residents and vehicles via only one guarded entrance.

Similar restrictions are set to take effect on urban residential compounds.

INDEFINITE LOCKDOWN

The regulations, as reported by the South China Morning Post, read: “In principle, every villager should stay at home. If he really needs to step outside, he has to wear a mask and keep a minimum 1.5 metres from other people.

“All leisure and entertainment venues shall be shut down and all group activities shall be suspended. Weddings should be postponed, and funeral processes minimised … Visiting other households is strictly prohibited, as is playing mahjong and card games.”

Every villager should stay at home. If he really needs to step outside, he has to wear a mask and keep a minimum 1.5 metres from other people. New regulations

The province has also banned vehicles and public transportation in the region, with the exception of police vans, ambulances and other specially licensed vehicles.

Residents who are restricted will be sent essentials arranged by the government.

All other "non-essential" businesses and public venues will also close until further notice, with the exception of chemists, hotels, food shops and medical services.

One government notice, as reported by Strait Times, read: "Those who do not take the initiative to report or disobey the deployment shall be dealt with resolutely and seriously, and the head of the unit shall be held accountable."

The tough new measures come just four days after former Shanghai mayor Ying Yong took office in Hubei.

ORIGINS OF THE SPREAD

The coronavirus was first detected in the city of Wuhan in the central Chinese province Hubei in December.

Hubai accounts for over 80 per cent of confirmed coronavirus cases and 96 per cent of the deaths in China.

Authorities have been forced to impose strict and isolating lockdown measures.

Wuhan was the first Chinese city to face a complete lockdown, with other cities following suit.

The virus has since infected about 71,000 people worldwide.

HOUSE-BOUND

Much of China has been instructed to remain indoors, with many coming up with novel ways to entertain themselves.

One man, Pan, said he jogged 66 kilometres in a loop at his home and another time for 30km on the spot in his bathroom, while live-streaming the action to his followers.

He recalled: “I felt a little dizzy at first, but you get used to it after you circle many times.

“Running is like an addiction. If you don’t run for a long time, you get itchy feet.”

Others have retreated online for their entertainment through group chats, online dating and online tutorials.

What is coronavirus? Coronavirus is an airborne virus, spread in a similar way to colds and the flu. The virus attacks the respiratory system, causing lung lesions. Symptoms include a runny nose, headache, cough and fever, shortness of breath, chills and body aches. It is incredibly contagious and is spread through contact with anything the virus is on as well as infected breath, coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include a runny nose, headache, cough and fever, shortness of breath, chills and body aches. In most cases, you won't know whether you have a coronavirus or a different cold-causing virus, such as rhinovirus. But if a coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract (your windpipe and your lungs), it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease or people with weakened immune systems. There is no vaccine for coronavirus. In 2003 an outbreak of a similar virus, SARS, infected more than 8,000 people in 37 countries before it was brought under control, killing 800 of those worldwide.

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9 A Chinese woman wears a protective mask as she crosses a nearly empty intersection in Beijing Credit: Getty Images - Getty

9 A once thriving shopping area is now deserted Credit: Getty Images - Getty

9 The number of cases of coronavirus rose to more than 44000 in mainland China on Wednesday Credit: Getty Images - Getty

9 A woman asks a securing guard in front of the entrance of China World Trade Center for direction Credit: Getty Images - Getty

9 Pan completes exercises in his bedroom as many Chinese come up with novel ways to entertain themselves indoors Credit: AFP or licensors

9 Pan Shancu runs in his bedroom in Hangzhou to pass the time Credit: AFP or licensors

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