The Government of China has temporarily imposed a ban on the trade of wild animals in the country, in an effort to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus.

Researchers have linked the coronavirus to exotic species being sold in a market as food.

They believe coronavirus to have originated in Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan, a central Chinese city.

The virus has spread across several Chinese cities, as well as to other countries, including the US, Canada, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, France and Australia.

Chinese officials said that anyone found violating the rules in the investigation will be severely punished.

A temporary ban will be in place for the transport of wildlife to the markets. In addition to offline sales, China has also banned online sales of these species.

The authorities will send violators to security services and close or seal properties belonging to them.

Additionally, the authorities have noted that the legal breeding centres will be quarantined.

Three government agencies reportedly issued the ban. These include the State Administration of Market Regulation, the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs, and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

These agencies have opened a hotline for people to report violations.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, a New York City-based non-profit organisation, has raised concerns over the Chinese Government’s temporary ban on the sale of wildlife in markets and over e-commerce.

In its statement, it urged the Chinese Government to impose a permanent ban on the sale of wildlife in markets.

Wildlife Conservation Society chief global veterinarian Dr Christian Walzer said: “The Chinese Government’s announcement today to temporarily ban the sale of wildlife in markets, restaurants and over e-commerce needs to be permanent. We congratulate the government for taking this important first step.

“The banning of such sales will help end the possibility of future outbreaks of zoonotic diseases, such as the Wuhan coronavirus. We learned this lesson with the outbreak of another zoonotic disease, SARS, in 2002.

“The pattern will keep repeating itself until we ban, not only in China but in other countries, the sale of wildlife, specifically for food and in food markets.”