Advertisement
Coronavirus: Xiaogan, China’s second worst-hit city, bans people from leaving their homes
- Order applies to urban residents, while rural villagers cannot visit each other or hold gatherings, and those who flout the order face 10 days in detention
- Some supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open to deliver supplies
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Authorities trying to limit the spread of the coronavirus in Xiaogan – China’s second worst-hit city – have taken the extreme measure of banning people from leaving their homes, and those who flout the order face 10 days in detention.
It comes as tough new province-wide restrictions were announced in the outbreak epicentre Hubei, where Xiaogan is located, with its 58 million residents unable to leave their communities or villages, businesses closed and vehicles banned from the roads unless they are providing essential services, and all public events cancelled.
The latest notice from Xiaogan’s committee tackling the outbreak said: “All urban residents must stay at home and are strictly forbidden from going out. Rural villagers are strictly forbidden from … visiting each other or holding any gatherings.”
Advertisement
It continued: “All vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles, are banned from the roads … All non-essential public places must be closed.”
Advertisement
The unprecedented Xiaogan restrictions took effect from midnight on Sunday. Anyone who does not comply will be fined 500 yuan (US$72), their vehicles will be impounded and they could be detained for 10 days, the notice said. They will also be labelled “untrustworthy” on an official blacklist.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x