With a permanent population of over 3.5 million, Baise in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region enforced a citywide home quarantine starting from Monday due to the latest COVID-19 flare-up, while the Guangxi Party chief said that the situation of epidemic prevention and control in the city is very severe and all work must not be let down.
Guangxi reported 37 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and five asymptomatic carriers on Sunday, according to local health authorities on Monday. So far, the region has reported 44 confirmed COVID-19 cases and six asymptomatic carriers. The epidemiological investigation shows that the transmission chain of the current outbreak is basically clear, and screening and control measures are proceeding in an orderly manner, the authorities said.
Schools and training institutions and public transport will all be suspended during this period. Except for supermarkets, farmers market, hospitals and pharmacies, all other businesses will be closed, the local authorities said. Catering businesses will provide takeout delivery services as far as possible.
Customs clearance services in Longbang and Pingmeng ports in Baise have been delayed due to the epidemic, and their resumption date will be announced later based on the epidemic situation, according to the authorities.
Liu Ning, Party chief of Guangxi stressed on Sunday night that all departments in the region should stay on high alert over the epidemic as the Spring Festival holiday has ended, and many people have returned to work, with a large flow of people. Liu called for a race against time to fight against the virus in a fast, accurate and strict manner.
Working staff involved with epidemic prevention, medical services, city operation, takeout delivery, volunteers and other personnel will be allowed to move freely with specific passes within the city.
Besides purchases of necessary daily necessities and nucleic acid testing, residents are required to stay at home and delivery services are encouraged, according to local authorities. For those violators of preventive measures, they will be punished based on relevant provisions.
The topic of citywide home quarantine has gained over 60 million clicks on Chinese-twitter like Sina Weibo, with many netizens showing their concerns and best wishes to residents in the region.
The railway departments in the city have suspended all passenger services and the date of resumption will be announced when the conditions are ready for it. At least 31 train services toward Baise have been adjusted or suspended due to the epidemic, according to media reports. All passengers can get a refund for tickets involved in the adjustment within 30 days, according to local authorities.
In order to prevent epidemic spillover to other areas, the city has scientifically defined control areas and carried out nucleic acid testing, conducting prevention and control measures in a classified way, the city official said. A total of 98 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the first round of city-wide testing carried out on Sunday. The city has also conducted a second round of testing in Debao county of Baise, where most cases were reported.
Residents line to take nucleic acid tests in Debao county, Baise, South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on February 6, 2022. Photo: VCG
