Nic Merry says the factory closures in China are making it tough to do business locally.

Industries from auto sales to travel to retailing effectively shut down after curbs were imposed starting Jan. 23 with the suspension of most access to Wuhan, an industrial metropolis of 11 million people at the center of the outbreak.

The rapid spread of a new virus from China has cast a pall across Chinese American communities, with people staying inside whenever possible, wearing medical masks when they must go out and canceling some celebrations for Lunar New Year.

The parade, which was celebrating its 47th year in Vancouver, nearly didn't happen as the coronavirus continues to spread and the death toll in China rises.

Like previous outbreaks, the flu-like disease poses a risk to economies around the world as fear and confusion lead to abrupt changes in behaviour, decreased economic activity and a ripple effect across sectors that threatens everything from productivity to consumer prices.

Events at Semiahmoo Mall in South Surrey and the Christian Life Assembly church in Langley were cancelled over concerns of the coronavirus.

Hundreds of people attended Lunar New Year celebrations in Calgary on Saturday.

The new coronavirus -- from a family of viruses that also caused the deadly SARS epidemic in 2002-03 -- didn't stop everyone from going to temples, but many wore face masks as protection.

The thieves made off with computers, an office safe, ceremonial drums and paddles, files and thousands of red envelopes stuffed prizes for Lunar New Year.

Thousands of people braved sub-zero temperatures in Vancouver on Sunday to participate in the 46th annual Chinese New Year Parade.