China strengthens restrictions as COVID-19 re-importation rises... "Designated place quarantine is effective" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As the number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases imported from overseas surpasses those concentrated in Hubei Province, China, the government is making every effort to block overseas imported cases of COVID-19. Starting today, Beijing will implement a 14-day quarantine at designated facilities for all incoming travelers. The cost of quarantine must be borne by the quarantined individuals.

◆New confirmed cases 'Hubei Province < Overseas imported cases' = China reported 16 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in one day on the 15th. Among them, 12 were newly reported overseas imported cases.

On the 16th, the National Health Commission of China (NHC) announced that as of midnight, there were 16 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 14 new deaths in China. The number of additional confirmed cases in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, known as the origin of COVID-19, was limited to 4. Most were newly reported overseas imported cases.

The NHC reported that on the 15th, a total of 12 overseas imported confirmed cases were reported: 4 in Beijing, 4 in Guangdong Province, 2 in Shanghai, 1 in Yunnan Province, and 1 in Gansu Province. The cumulative number of reported overseas imported cases has reached 123 so far.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 patients across mainland China has increased to 80,860. Among them, 67,749 have recovered and been discharged, and 3,213 have died. Currently, 9,898 confirmed patients are receiving treatment in hospitals, 134 are suspected cases, and 9,582 close contacts are under medical observation.

Outside mainland China, in the Greater China region, a total of 217 confirmed cases have been reported: 148 in Hong Kong (84 discharged, 4 deaths), 10 in Macau (all discharged), and 59 in Taiwan (20 discharged, 1 death).

◆State media: "Incoming travelers did not keep self-quarantine promises... Designated facility quarantine is more effective" = As Beijing implements a 14-day quarantine at designated locations for all incoming travelers starting the 16th, Chinese media emphasized and appealed for support, stating that the strengthened management measures for arrivals will be the most effective way to eradicate the virus.

On the 16th, the state-run Global Times editorial pointed out, "Some people entering China from overseas did not keep their self-quarantine promises, and the community was unable to fully monitor this. As a result, some people violated the 14-day quarantine commitment and went out without restrictions, and some later tested positive for COVID-19, increasing the risk of COVID-19 control in China." It added, "Transporting incoming travelers to centralized observation points to monitor their health for 14 days is the best method to eradicate COVID-19 and may be more effective than self-quarantine."

It also stated, "It is important that individuals bear the cost of quarantine themselves. Previously, some regions such as Weihai City in Shandong Province allowed incoming travelers not to bear quarantine costs or to self-quarantine, but these measures created a false impression among some foreigners that COVID-19 treatment is free in China, leading them to enter China to avoid COVID-19 elsewhere. It must be understood that the cost of 14 days of quarantine must be borne by the individual."

◆Beijing implements 14-day designated facility quarantine for all arrivals starting today = The day before, Beijing announced that it would implement a measure to transport all arrivals in principle to centralized observation points to monitor their health for 14 days. The implementation starts immediately. All costs required for the 14-day quarantine at designated facilities must also be borne by the arrivals. Beijing authorities explained that this measure was taken in response to the worsening overseas COVID-19 situation.

Beijing has an exception clause allowing quarantine at home after government review in special cases, but in reality, those who qualify as special cases are limited to elderly people requiring treatment, pregnant women, and others, so this is interpreted as a strong measure to block incoming travelers to Beijing as much as possible.

Beijing has already strengthened management of arrivals several times.

On the 10th, Beijing announced a measure to strengthen quarantine and control at Beijing Airport, mandating 14-day self-quarantine for all passengers arriving from Korea and Japan and controlling transportation from the airport to their residences. As a result, until the day before, arrivals from Korea to Beijing had to wait for a long time inside the plane after landing and also spent a long time waiting during the transfer to designated locations by government-prepared vehicles after landing.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.