China tightens travel over Covid cases

Provincial governments across China have asked people to stay put over the upcoming holiday periods, implementing new restrictions amid reports of several new local infections.

Capital city has introduced some of the strictest measures, ordering all employees of ministries and central state organs and institutions to stay in the city for the duration of the New Year festivities and Lunar New Year holiday in February. Everyone else in the capital will have to abide by strict travel controls, which include restrictions on the number of people allowed to use public transport, including trains, planes, buses and the underground. Lunar New Year events will be downsized or cancelled, while libraries, museums, parks and other venues will open only for visits by appointment during the holiday period, the government said.

Emergency measures such as closed management, disinfection and large-scale testing have been implemented in affected areas. Five close contacts of two cases in Shunyi have also been tested positive. Officials fear more cases in future amid the holidays season. Authorities in other parts of the country, including Liaoning, Shannxi and Guangdong provinces, have also advised people against non-essential travel outside their hometowns and cities.