COVID-19 Resurgence Across China... Lockdown Measures in Some Cities

Heilongjiang Province, Xinjiang Uygur, Sichuan Province and Other Cities Virtually Locked Down
Hainan, a Famous Chinese Resort, Quarantines Dozens of Asymptomatic Contacts in Concentrated Observation Facilities

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] As new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) cases emerge across China, Chinese health authorities are on high alert.

On the 14th, China’s Global Times reported that large-scale nucleic acid testing is being conducted in Dongning and Suifenhe in Heilongjiang Province in the northeast, Turpan in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Chengdu in Sichuan Province.

The day before, Dongning and Suifenhe, located near the Russian border, reported 3 and 1 confirmed cases respectively, and are effectively under lockdown. Residential complexes have been closed, roads leading outside are blocked, and public transportation has been suspended. Schools and kindergartens have also been closed. A nucleic acid test certificate issued within 24 hours is required to leave the city. Suifenhe reported 2 additional confirmed cases on the same day.

In Turpan, 4 asymptomatic infections were reported the previous day. Residents are not allowed to leave Turpan, and residential complexes are under lockdown. Local media reported that the travel ban will continue for one week.

Chengdu, which reported 1 confirmed case the day before, had conducted nucleic acid testing on 2.29 million people until the 12th. Currently, 12 people have tested positive in Chengdu.

Wang Guangpa, a respiratory expert at Peking University First Hospital, said, "It is not surprising that COVID-19 outbreak cases are appearing in China. Considering the low winter temperatures and imported cases from outside, sporadic cases will frequently occur as a normal situation."

Experts said that cities currently without COVID-19 cases should not let their guard down in the fight against the virus, and wearing masks and maintaining social distancing are essential.

In Aihui District, Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province, a port city on the Russian border, a reward of up to 50,000 yuan will be given to those who report illegal border crossings to block overseas COVID-19 inflow.

Meanwhile, in Hainan, a southern resort area in China, asymptomatic COVID-19 infections have been reported, and dozens of tourists who had contact with them have been quarantined in concentrated observation facilities.

The Sanya City health authorities in Hainan Province announced that two tourists staying at a hotel in Sanya were identified as close contacts who dined at the same restaurant as an asymptomatic COVID-19 infected person at Xi’an Airport, and they are currently under quarantine observation at a designated hotel.

Separately, authorities have additionally quarantined a total of 43 people: 29 tourists from the same group tour as these individuals, 12 people who had contact with them at restaurants and other places during their Hainan trip, and 2 passengers seated near them on the flight from Xi’an to Hainan.

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