Movement Restrictions Due to COVID-19 Spread in China...Nucleic Acid Test Certificate Required for Travel

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As the spread of COVID-19 continues across various regions in China, controls are being tightened, including requiring nucleic acid test certificates even for domestic travel within China.

On the 9th, the National Health Commission of China announced that 125 new COVID-19 cases were reported on the 8th, of which 94 were community cases excluding those imported from overseas.

Authorities in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, have prohibited residents in lockdown areas from leaving their homes altogether since the previous day, allowing only one person per household every 3 to 5 days to undergo a nucleic acid test and obtain a permit to go out to purchase daily necessities.

Jiangsu Province has temporarily closed many roads leading to other regions, and Changzhou in Jiangsu has banned the operation of movie theaters. In Wuhan, Hubei Province, where cases have been reported, intercity bus services have been suspended.

In Zhengzhou, Henan Province, 40 new cases were reported the previous day, and local authorities require presenting a nucleic acid test certificate within 48 hours when using public transportation in the city.

The Party Secretary of Luoyang, Henan Province, stated, "If we cannot resolve the spread of the disease within this month, all work in Henan Province will inevitably become very passive," adding, "The next two weeks, especially next week, are critical."

Moreover, several local governments are raising alert levels for people coming from other regions. While China has required nucleic acid tests for arrivals from overseas, domestic travel had been relatively free until now.

Authorities in Xi'an, Shanxi Province, require visitors from outside Shanxi to carry a nucleic acid test certificate conducted within 48 hours.

Similar measures have been announced in Gansu Province, Shenyang in Liaoning Province, and Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with calls across regions to avoid traveling to other areas unless necessary.

As Dandong in Liaoning Province, the largest trade hub between North Korea and China, has implemented these measures, disruptions to the resumption of North Korea-China trade are inevitable. In Haikou, Hainan Province, an island region, a nucleic acid test certificate is required even when leaving the island.

In Beijing, people from cities with medium or high-risk areas are prohibited from entering, and many air and train routes between Beijing and cities experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks have been temporarily suspended.

Meanwhile, China holds local officials accountable when COVID-19 outbreaks occur. According to the Global Times, more than 30 officials in four provinces have been disciplined due to this recent spread of the disease.

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