The Chinese mainland on Oct 19 reported 17 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, including eight in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, four in Gansu province, and one each in Beijing, Guizhou province, Yunnan province, Shaanxi province and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, according to the National Health Commission.
To minimize the risk of the virus spreading, Xiamen will implement the following prevention and control measures:
People visiting or returning to Xiamen from medium- and high-risk areas must report to the hotels or communities they are living in or workplaces immediately, and undergo medical observation and nucleic acid tests.
Those arriving from low-risk areas of cities that have medium- and high-risk areas must provide a negative result of a nucleic acid test conducted within 48 hours before entering Xiamen. They must also report to the hotels or communities they are living in or workplaces, and undergo medical observation and nucleic acid tests.
Those who had been in Zhangye, Gansu province or the Alshaa League in Inner Mongolia autonomous region since Oct 2; in Jiayuguan, Gansu province since Oct 14; in Xi'an, Shaanxi province since Oct 15; in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region since Oct 16; or in Changsha, Hunan province or Zunyi, Guizhou province since Oct 17, must report to the hotels or communities they are living in or workplaces immediately, and abide by corresponding epidemic prevention measures.
Starting Oct 17, those visiting or returning to Xiamen by air from Gansu province and Inner Mongolia must undergo nucleic acid tests and 14 days of health monitoring upon arriving.
Local residents are advised not to travel to medium- and high-risk areas if not necessary. Those who must go are required to report to their local communities and workplaces before departure.
Those who have traveled outside Fujian province are advised to take a nucleic acid test after returning to Xiamen and undergo 14 days of health monitoring.
Anyone who develops fever, cough, diarrhea and fatigue must head to the nearest fever clinic in a timely manner. Such individuals must also wear a medical mask and avoid taking public transportation while on the way to the clinic.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
