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Coronavirus China
ChinaScience

China to create buffer zones at border cities to curb outbreaks

  • Special control measures will be applied in bid to stop spread while protecting economy
  • Xian residents enter 7th day of lockdown with tighter restrictions after 151 cases reported for Tuesday

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Another round of mass testing is under way in Xian, northwestern China, epicentre of the country’s latest Covid-19 outbreak. Photo: Reuters
Guo Rui
China will set up buffer zones in border cities as part of its latest moves to battle imported cases of Covid-19 while protecting the economy.

The policy comes as China works to snuff out sporadic outbreaks in different parts of the country. Clusters have broken out in recent months in Ruili, Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, and Manzhouli in Inner Mongolia, near Russia and Mongolia.

The country is now battling an outbreak in the northwestern city of Xian, believed to have originated with a passenger on a flight from Pakistan, before spilling over to six cities in five provinces.

All but one of the 152 cases recorded across the country for Tuesday were found in Xian, which entered its seventh day of lockdown on Wednesday.

Liang Wannian, a former National Health Commission (NHC) official who heads a panel of experts advising the government on its coronavirus response, said the outbreaks showed the need to double down on its control measures in the face of Omicron, instead of adjusting them.

A circular issued by the NHC earlier this month said local governments with vibrant border trade should consider setting up buffer zones. As for air traffic hubs, it advised increased surveillance and screening of airport and cargo workers, as well as strengthened sanitisation procedures for cold chain areas.

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