About 80,000 tourists are stranded in the southern Chinese seaside resort city of Sanya after authorities declared an outbreak of the COVID-19 virus there and imposed an isolation regime, the Associated Press reported, citing BTA.
The goal was to stop the spread of the coronavirus in a city on the tropical island of Hainan. The restrictions came into effect after 229 cases were confirmed that day and another 129 yesterday.
China’s ruling Communist Party firmly adheres to the principle of “zero tolerance,” which puts the country at odds with the rest of the world. A recent outbreak in Shanghai forced the authorities to shut down China’s largest city for two months, stranding millions of people and severely damaging the country’s economy.
The Sanya Railway Authority banned the sale of tickets and all flights were canceled yesterday.
Tourists wishing to leave Sanya must have tested negative for five PCR tests taken within seven days, authorities said.
Meanwhile, hotels will give their guests a 50% discount for the quarantine period, a representative of the city administration said at the briefing.
The closure comes at the height of the tourist season in Sanya, known for its beaches.