Qingdao district reports new cases, stringent containment pledged

Local officials in Huangdao district of Qingdao, Shandong province vowed to enhance anti-epidemic regulation on cold chain businesses and personnel on Sunday after a recent COVID-19 outbreak.

"The district is carrying out supervision and inspection on cold chain enterprises and will suspend operation of those enterprises which failed to abide by epidemic prevention measures and completely rectify any possible risks," said Zhang Leina, deputy head of Huangdao district, at a news conference on Sunday.

Huangdao reported 11 locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, all with light symptoms, and 20 asymptomatic carriers on Saturday.

The outbreak started on Thursday and all infections were workers at a warehouse of imported cold-chain commodities, officials said.

More than 1.8 million people across the district took nucleic acid tests on Saturday, with the results all negative except for those reported infections.

Huangdao district is a hot tourist destination in summer. Dong Huafeng, director of the district's culture and tourism bureau, said the local tourism sector is functioning normally, with required epidemic prevention measures being implemented.

Currently, there is no limitation for residents and tourists to enter or leave the district, he added.