China: Officials continue to enact tighter COVID-19 curbs in Heihe and Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province, as of Feb. 9 /update 3

Event

Officials in Heilongjiang Province continue to enact stricter curbs in Suifenhe City as of Feb. 9 due to COVID-19 activity. Stay-home orders may remain in effect. Only one person per household may leave for essential purchases every three days. All individuals, except essential personnel, cannot enter or exit Suifenhe. Nonessential businesses must close, and food establishments cannot offer dine-in services. Officials have also banned social gatherings and suspended public transport. Testing of residents and employees is underway. Strict COVID-19 controls may lead to processing delays and disruptions for cargo at China-Russia border checkpoints, including Manzhouli-Zabaikalsk, Suifenhe-Pogranichny, Dongning-Poltavka, and Hunchun-Kraskino.

The tightest curbs are in effect in medium-risk areas in Heilongjiang Province. As of Feb. 9, such locations include at least 24 areas in Suifenhe City and Aihui District, Heihe City. Officials likely require residents of the locations and individuals with recent exposure to them to remain in their homes. Authorities likely restrict travel to and from the affected communities. Security personnel will enforce checkpoints in these areas to ensure compliance with movement restrictions. Authorities typically extend measures until two weeks after the latest date of newly confirmed community cases. Officials will likely carry out several rounds of testing in these locations before easing restrictions.

Additional measures are likely if there are new COVID-19 cases. Strict controls, such as stay-at-home orders and closure of nonessential businesses, may occur in adjacent locations. The government may impose gathering, business, and travel restrictions in other parts of Heilongjiang Province as a precaution if new cases emerge. Other provincial and municipal governments may require individuals who have recently traveled to Heihe and Suifenhe to undergo COVID-19 testing and/or mandatory institutional quarantine periods.

Advice

Strictly heed the instructions of authorities. Remain cooperative if approached and questioned by law enforcement officers. Confirm appointments and travel reservations due to possible restrictions.