China Controls Highways Amid Second Wuhan Concern in Hebei

Nucleic Acid Testing for All 11 Million Residents of Shijiazhuang... "Avoid Traveling if Possible"
Free Train Ticket Refund Policy Amid Nationwide Spread Concerns During Lunar New Year

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Hebei Province in China has declared war against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Since Hebei Province is adjacent to the Chinese capital Beijing, the Chinese government is on high alert. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the Chinese government has effectively implemented nationwide control measures, including encouraging the cancellation of train ticket reservations.

According to Chinese state media such as People's Daily on the 7th, the total number of confirmed and asymptomatic cases in Hebei Province is 63. As of the 5th, 19 confirmed cases were identified in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province, and the number of asymptomatic cases reached 41. From the 2nd to the 4th, Hebei Province recorded a total of 59 infections. Chinese health authorities have imposed near-lockdown measures, including nucleic acid testing for all 11 million residents of Shijiazhuang.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Gaocheng District in Shijiazhuang, with a population of 770,000, has been designated as a high-risk area for COVID-19, and all public transportation has been suspended. Ten highways connecting Shijiazhuang to Beijing and other regions are already under control. Most flights have also been canceled. To board a train or plane from Shijiazhuang, passengers must submit a negative nucleic acid test certificate issued within 72 hours.

Professor Wang Guangpa, a respiratory specialist at Peking University First Hospital, expressed concern, saying, "Hebei Province is geographically adjacent to the capital Beijing and has frequent human interactions. COVID-19 can easily spread from Hebei to Beijing."

The Global Times reported that Beijing residents who have visited Shijiazhuang or Shijiazhuang residents must self-quarantine at home in Beijing, and depending on the situation, they may need to undergo nucleic acid testing two to three more times.

However, the Global Times stated, "The current measures against Hebei Province are precautionary steps to prevent the spread of the epidemic and are not a full lockdown like the Wuhan shutdown last year," adding, "Similar measures were taken in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, in July last year."

The Chinese government is on high alert as confirmed COVID-19 cases have been identified in major provinces and cities such as Hebei Province, Liaoning Province, and Beijing, urging people to avoid interregional travel as much as possible. Especially with the upcoming large-scale population movement during next month's Lunar New Year holiday, the government is seeking ways to minimize travel. The Chinese government has decided to implement a free train ticket refund policy to reduce interregional movement and prevent nationwide spread.

The Chinese government may also suspend the sale of Lunar New Year travel packages. Beijing health authorities have previously halted the sale of New Year and Lunar New Year tourism packages in Beijing.

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