Sanya Covid outbreak in China leaves 80,000 tourists stranded

A tourist hotspot dubbed the Hawaii of China is now home to tens of thousands of stranded people due to the nation’s strict Covid rules.

More than 80,000 tourist have been left stranded in the Chinese city of Sanya. Picture: AFP/China OUT

A Covid outbreak has put the entire Chinese city of Sanya in lockdown, effectively leaving more than 80,000 tourists stranded for seven days.

Dubbed the Hawaii of China, the city is famed for its sweeping white sand beaches and clear oceans.

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A huge number of tourists have been left stranded as Covid cases soared in the city dubbed China’s Hawaii. Picture: AFP/ China OUT

However, with the island currently inundated during its peak tourist season, an influx of Covid cases has swelled fears the small city could turn into a Shanghai-like lockdown.

One of the biggest cities in China, the sprawling metropolis endured 92-days of harsh lockdown from March to May, with millions of residents unable to leave their homes except for mandatory testing.

As of Sunday, Sanya had reported a total of nearly 1500 cases, with 504 new cases announced on Sunday. In response, the government has culled 80 per cent of the flights both in and out of the island, with train tickets also suspended.

Residents and tourists seen queuing up for nucleic acid testing. Picture: AFP/China OUT

Holiday plans decimated

Speaking to Reuters, one woman, Yang Jing called it the “worst holiday of my life”. She said her parents were sustaining themselves on a diet of pot noodles in order to save costs, while paying for their extended stay at a four-star hotel.

They had chosen to holiday on the island due to the fact it had only recorded two Covid cases prior to this outbreak.

Under China’s tough Covid rules, people must present five negative PCR tests over seven days before they can leave isolation.

Although the local government dictated that tourists who’ve had their flights cancelled should be offered half-price accommodation, Reuters reports that not all hotels have been applying the rule.

While essential services like supermarkets and pharmacies are allowed to continue trading, the city’s spas, bars and pubs have all been locked down. Prices for food delivery fees, hotel meal prices and flight tickets have also surged.

Tourists and residents must return five negative tests in seven days in order to leave isolation. Picture: AFP/China OUT

Covid zero continues

Despite recording under 15,000 deaths during the entirety pandemic, China is still chasing a Covid-zero approach.

According to Bloomberg, Shanghai has spent the most days in lockdown, followed by Dalian (a port city on the Liaoning Peninsula), and China’s capital city of Beijing. The two cities have recorded 64 and 57 consecutive days in lockdown.

With currently no end in sight, Beijing’s Communist Party chief Cai Qi stoked concern after he was reportedly quoted as saying that the Covid-zero policy could continue to last “for the next five years”.

Speaking to Bloomberg, a research fellow at a Washington-based research group, said the political need to reduce deaths will likely see China continue the unwavering policy.

“All of us may have underestimated how strong the Chinese state’s will is in continuing with its so-called dynamic-zero Covid policy,” said Tianlei Huang.

“Everything must serve the utmost goal of achieving zero Covid.”