China closes off city of 9.3 million after 17 cases found

None of the 9.3 million residents of a Chinese city will be allowed to leave without producing a negative test after 17 cases were detected.

People queue for Covid tests in Nanjing, China. Picture: AFP

Beijing: None of the 9.3 million residents of a Chinese city will be allowed to leave without producing a negative test after a cluster of cases was detected among cleaners.

The eastern Chinese city of Nanjing plans to test all of its residents as soon as possible as it goes into a “soft” lockdown. The measures were imposed after 17 people tested positive for the virus. The tests were part of the routine check of personnel working at the city airport, including cleaners and ground staff.

Authorities have identified 157 close contacts for isolation.

The swiftness of the lockdown is testament to China’s determination to have an infection rate of zero inside its borders, as local governments move fast and forcefully to cut off community transmission upon detection of new cases. Shortly after tests were returned positive on Sunday, hygiene officials in Nanjing began to trace the movements of the infected, isolate them and sterilise spaces.

Authorities declared that no one should leave the city unless they could produce a negative test result for the virus within the previous 48 hours. “We urge everyone not to leave the city, if it’s not absolutely necessary,” a government statement read.

Checkpoints throughout the city have once again been mobilised to check body temperatures. Pharmacies must register anyone who buts medicine to reduce fever. Public gatherings are strongly discouraged, and indoor entertainment venues are shuttered.

Summer schools are ordered to stop any classes in person, while some state schools say they are closing their campuses.

THE TIMES