KOTA KINABALU, Feb. 3 -- China's Consul-General's Office in Sabah here has asked the state government to formulate an action plan to help send back "thousands" of tourists stuck here following the state's decision to bar direct flights from China following the coronavirus outbreak.

The office said in a statement last night that many Chinese tourists who were in Sabah for the Lunar New Year festivities were now stranded because flights have either been significantly reduced or grounded.

"The Sabah state government unilaterally announced the suspension of all flights from China. The number of flights between China and Sabah has been significantly reduced and grounded, which has caused thousands of Chinese tourists stranded in Sabah to ret...