China tightens Covid-19 controls on Myanmar border amid Delta variant fears
- The city of Ruili in Yunnan province reports 12 new coronavirus cases after fresh round of mass testing
- Counties shut down public venues and scenic areas for a week
The latest cases were uncovered during mass testing as the city experienced its fourth flare-up of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, this time amid fears over the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant.
Other areas in Yunnan tightened disease controls over the weekend, including the counties of Mangshi and Longchuan which closed public venues such as karaoke parlours, gyms, museums, theatres and scenic areas for one week starting Sunday.
Menglian county, also on the border, announced a ban on unnecessary travel in and out of the area, and, like several other local governments in the area, announced plans to launch mass Covid-19 testing, according to China’s state broadcaster.
So far, no reported cases have been linked to parts of the province beyond Ruili.