This is supposed to be the most festive time of year in China. But in Wuhan, the city at the center of the deadly coronavirus outbreak, holiday spirit has been eclipsed by an atmosphere of unease.

On Thursday, Chinese authorities suspended all means of transport in and out of Wuhan at the busiest time of the Chinese New Year travel rush, putting the central Chinese city of 11 million people on a lockdown. The highways remained open initially but were ordered to close a few hours later. Local transportation, including buses, subway and taxis are also halted, CGTN reporter learned.

The city has set up a command center for disease control which issued its first notice early Thursday announcing the transportation shutdown.

At the provincial level, Hubei has also set up a command center to address the current situation, which the government says is "complicated and severe."

The mood in Wuhan has notably changed in the last three days as the number of reported cases and deaths jumped.

All planned celebrations and activities in the city have been canceled.

People have also canceled reservations of New Year's Eve dinners at restaurants, which no longer have a reason to stay open.

Some residents said they haven't gone outside except to take out the trash. And those do go out are all wearing facial masks, as now required.

Many online are also asking the government to provide more supplies, especially due to a shortage of facial masks and rising food prices.

Armed police officers have made their presence known outside the city's Hankou railway station.

Many stranded passengers are left with few options but to wait for further notice, while a loudspeaker repeatedly announces the transportation shutdown.

CGTN approached a young man waiting outside the station. Luggage in hands and anxious, he told the reporter that he was traveling to Jingzhou, also in Hubei Province, about an hour away on y high-speed train.

Now he's stuck and can't buy a ticket out of town.

A migrant worker said he arrived at the station to catch a train home when he learned that transportation was suspended.

"We are just waiting for the notice, but no one knows how long it will take," he said.

A local woman who lives near the station told CGTN that she feels for those who are unable to return home for the holiday. But she urged everyone affected by the epidemic to stay positive and not let fear take over their lives. "We should be strong in body and in mind. Confidence is very important if we want to beat this disease," she said.

The command center issued more notices later on Thursday. One reassures residents that their grocery shopping needs will be sufficiently met.

A 24-hour hotline has been established to collect donations of medical supplies and protective equipment, which are in need in large quantities.