China Records Consecutive Daily Highs in Overseas COVID-19 Reimport Cases... Strengthens Border Controls (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] In China, the number of new COVID-19 cases imported from overseas continues to break records daily. Border control is being further strengthened, especially in regions with a high number of imported cases.

According to the National Health Commission of China (NHC) on the 13th, out of 108 new COVID-19 cases reported the previous day, 98 were imported cases infected overseas and entering China. The daily number of imported COVID-19 cases is the highest since the outbreak began. On the 11th, 97 imported cases were reported, setting the highest record since the outbreak, which was then broken again in just one day.

As imported cases surge, newly reported domestic infection cases continue to emerge, especially in regions with many overseas arrivals, prompting the government to closely monitor the situation. Among the newly reported COVID-19 cases on the 12th, 10 were domestic infections: 7 in Heilongjiang Province and 3 in Guangdong Province.

Heilongjiang Province, bordering Russia, has recently strengthened COVID-19 prevention measures as new confirmed cases among entrants from Russia have surged.

The previous day, Heilongjiang announced that entrants would undergo 14 days of quarantine at designated locations followed by an additional 14 days of self-health monitoring. During the total 28-day medical observation period, they must undergo two nucleic acid tests. Furthermore, information-sharing mechanisms among border, customs, aviation, and railway authorities will be enhanced to conduct stricter inspections in border areas. The area near the Suifenhe border checkpoint will be under 24-hour patrols and all gathering activities are prohibited.

Guangdong Province also imposed access controls, including lockdowns, after signs of a COVID-19 cluster outbreak appeared in an African community in Guangzhou. At a press conference the previous day, the Guangdong government emphasized that all foreigners must comply with government quarantine measures related to COVID-19, warning that violators could face penalties under Chinese law. The China Immigration Administration also issued a notice titled 'Compliance with Laws by Foreigners in China during the COVID-19 Period,' stating "Foreigners in China who refuse temperature checks, health status reporting, epidemic prevention or quarantine, diagnosis, or transfer measures must bear legal responsibility," and "foreigners violating laws may face penalties such as temporary deportation or cancellation of residence permits."

Meanwhile, while China is making every effort to block imported cases, it judges that virus spread in most internal regions is under control and is finalizing school reopening schedules. Among the 31 provincial-level administrative regions on the Chinese mainland, 30 provinces and municipalities except Hubei have confirmed their school reopening schedules. The capital Beijing announced reopening dates for 3rd-year high school and 3rd-year middle school students on the 27th of this month and the 11th of next month, respectively, preparing for a phased reopening. However, reopening schedules for elementary schools, kindergartens, and other middle and high school grades have not been disclosed. The college entrance exam, Gaokao, will be held in July this year.

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