BEIJING — China tightened lockdowns and increased orders for mass testing in cities alongside its east coast Wednesday amid the newest surge in COVID-19 cases.
Checks have been set up in toll stations across the city of Putian in Fujian province, with a dozen of them closed entirely. The nearby cities of Xiamen and Quanzhou have also restricted travel as the delta variant spreads through the area.
The Nationwide Health Commission on Wednesday mentioned an additional 50 cases had been diagnosed in various parts of Fujian, most of them within the Putian area.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, first detected in late 2019 within the central Chinese city of Wuhan, China has imposed strict testing, lockdowns, quarantines and mask-wearing requirements.
Fujian has seen at least 152 new cases in recent days, prompting stay-at-home orders and the closure of entertainment, dining and fitness venues, along with the cancellation of group activities including those for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival holiday.
Long-distance bus service to other parts of the province has been suspended.
China has largely stopped the spread of COVID-19 however new outbreaks continue to occur in various elements of the nation. A delta variant outbreak in July and August spread to several provinces, elevating concern about new and more contagious variants.
The Nationwide Health Commission says it has administered more than 2 billion doses of vaccine, though the efficacy of the domestically developed serums has been called into question, particularly in dealing with the delta variant.
Whereas the lockdowns and other stern measures have taken a toll on the economy and daily life, most of the nation has overcome the impact of the initial outbreak.
Authorities are taking no chances, however. The discovery of a suspected case in Beijing’s eastern Chaoyang district prompted officials Wednesday to bar residents of a high-rise community from leaving their apartments, according to the newspaper Health Times published by the ruling Communist Party.
Students and teachers have also been inspired to keep away from travelling in the course of the upcoming three-day Mid-Autumn Festival starting Sunday, together with the Oct. 1-7 National Day trip.
“Even with 91% of students and teachers vaccinated nationwide, it’s still recommended students don’t leave their home provinces and stay on guard,” Wang Dengfeng, head of the COVID-19 prevention office at the Ministry of Education, was quoted as saying by the official China Daily newspaper.
