Hong Kong (CNN Business) Qantas Group is halting all international flights after the Australian government told citizens to avoid overseas travel because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Scheduled international flights operated by Qantas and Jetstar will continue until late March to help repatriate Australians, and will then be suspended until at least the end of May, Qantas said in a statement on Thursday. The move comes just days after the carrier said it was reducing international capacity by 90%Qantas is also now acknowledging that a lot of people will not be paid as the company temporarily suspends two-thirds of its 30,000-member staff. Employees can tap into annual leave, receive leave at half pay or access leave in advance of earning it, according to the statement.

Source: CNN March 19, 2020 03:11 UTC