China's Zhengzhou upgrades measures to curb COVID-19 spread

ZHENGZHOU -- Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools in Zhengzhou City, capital of Central China's Henan province, have suspended in-person classes and started to hold classes online from Monday, while all the city's dining venues have stopped offering dine-in services, in an effort to better contain the spread of a local COVID-19 outbreak.

Nonessential public places have been temporarily closed, while the city's supermarkets, convenience stores, bakeries, farmers' markets, medical institutions, banks and offices will continue to provide essential services.

Passenger transport services including shuttle buses, tourist transport, intercity ride-hailing and taxi services h

ave been suspended. Those who enter the city must provide negative nucleic acid test results taken within 48 hours and green health codes, as Zhengzhou has enforced traffic control measures.

The city also urged work units, including Party and government organs at all levels, as well as enterprises and public institutions, to strictly implement all epidemic prevention and control measures and reduce staff gatherings.

As of Monday, Zhengzhou had reported 103 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases in the latest outbreak, said local authorities on Tuesday. Currently, more than 51 million people in the city have been sampled in rounds of mass nucleic acid testings. A sixth citywide mass testing campaign was launched at 9 am Tuesday.