China orders a city’s entire 13million population to stay indoors due to Covid outbreak
China orders a city’s entire 13million population to stay indoors due to Covid outbreak
China is on high alert over Covid-19 as it prepares to host 2022 Winter OlympicsEven a single case of Covid-19 can lead to a swift imposition of local curbsXi’an reported 52 new cases on Wednesday, bringing total to 143 since Dec. 9From midnight, all households may only ‘send one household member outside once every two days to purchase necessities’. All others must remain indoors
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The northern Chinese city of Xi’an on Wednesday ordered all 13 million residents to stay home in a strict lockdown, as concern grows over a fresh outbreak of Covid-19.
All households may only ‘send one household member outside once every two days to purchase necessities,’ with all others ordered to remain indoors except for emergencies, the city government said in a statement on its official Weibo social media account.
With Beijing preparing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, China is on high alert as it fights local outbreaks in several cities.
Xi’an reported 52 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 143 since December 9.
From midnight on Thursday, all households may only ‘send one household member outside once every two days to purchase necessities,’ with all others ordered to remain indoors except for emergencies, the city government said the statement.
The northern Chinese city of Xi’an on Wednesday ordered all 13 million residents to stay home, in a strict lockdown as concern grows over a fresh outbreak of Covid-19. Pictured: Students queue up for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing on December 21 2021 in Xi an
Residents ‘should not leave the city unless necessary,’ the government said, adding that those seeking to leave would have to provide evidence of ‘special circumstances’ and apply for approval.
The orders came a day after the city began testing all of its 13 million residents.
Long-distance bus stations were closed and authorities have set up disease control checkpoints on highways out of Xi’an, government notices said.
More than 85 percent of flights to and from the city’s main airport have been grounded, according to flight tracker VariFlight.
Inside the city, passenger capacity has been slashed on buses and trains, and schools closed.
All ‘non-essential’ businesses and public facilities aside from supermarkets, convenience stores and medical institutions have been ordered to close, while the local government has urged employers to allow people to work from home, CCTV reported.
Pictured: An aerial view of students queuing up for COVID-19 nucleic acid testing at Northwestern Polytechnical University on December 21 2021 in Xi an, Shaanxi Province
Large-scale meetings including activities in outdoor parks have been suspended, while the museum housing the world-famous Terracotta Army – the 2,000-year-old mausoleum of China’s first emperor – has shut until further notice.
China – where the coronavirus was first detected – has slowed new cases to a trickle since the middle of last year through a zero-Covid strategy involving tight border restrictions, targeted lockdowns and lengthy quarantines.
Even a single case can lead to a swift imposition of curbs.
The southern city of Dongxing on Tuesday ordered its 200,000 residents to isolate at home after an infection was detected.
