China announces new sanctions after increasing number of cases

Chinese authorities have ordered the confinement of tens of thousands of residents in the north of the country and urged residents of the capital to limit travel after a surge in coronavirus cases, just 100 days before the start of the Winter Olympics in Beijing.

China identified 39 new COVID-19 cases today and more than 100 over the past week. Many infections are associated with the movement of a group of tourists.

The Chinese government, which has a “zero tolerance” policy for the virus, responded quickly by imposing restrictions, as well as organizing testing campaigns in affected areas.

Beijing, the city that will host the Winter Olympics starting on February 4, has indefinitely postponed the marathon, which had been scheduled for October 31 and will feature nearly 30,000 runners.

“The test has been postponed to avoid the risks of transmission of the epidemic,” the organizers announced.

A government official in the Chinese capital has urged residents to avoid “non-essential” trips outside the city and meetings with lots of people.

Officials said anyone from the area where COVID-19 cases have been identified should be negative.

New cases of COVID-19 have been detected in 11 provinces, mostly in the northern region of the country.

In Ejin, a city in northern Inner Mongolia, nearly 35,000 people have so far been booked for two weeks.

In some cities in the north of the country, including Lanzhou, the capital of Gansu Province, bus and taxi services have been suspended. In addition, tourist sites are closed.

Yesterday, the authorities announced the suspension of organized tourist trips to five regions where cases of Corona virus were recorded, including Beijing.