China: Officials imposing tighter COVID-19 curbs in Heihe and Jixi, Heilongjiang Province, as of Feb. 23

Event

Officials in Heilongjiang Province are imposing tighter curbs in Heihe and Jixi as of Feb. 23 due to COVID-19 activity. In Heihe, social gatherings are prohibited, while recreational and nonessential venues must close. Public areas that may remain open, like shopping malls and supermarkets, must adhere to social distancing protocols and operate at 50% visitor capacity. Restaurants may only offer take-away and delivery options; dine-in services are suspended. A 50-percent capacity limit is also in place for bus services. Residents from Aihui District in Heihe cannot leave the district. In Jixi, residents may only leave the city for essential reasons and testing of residents is underway. Individuals leaving Heihe and Jixi must obtain approval from local authorities and present a negative nucleic acid test taken within 48 and 24 hours, respectively.

The tightest curbs are in place in medium-risk areas. As of Feb. 23, such areas include two buildings in Aihui District, Heihe, and three locations in Jidong County, Jixi. Officials likely require residents of the locations and individuals with recent exposure to them to remain in their homes. Authorities will 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 Jixi to undergo COVID-19 testing and/or mandatory institutional quarantine periods. Ongoing COVID-19 controls could lead to processing delays and disruptions for cargo at China-Russia border checkpoints, including Manzhouli-Zabaikalsk, Suifenhe-Pogranichny, Dongning-Poltavka, and Hunchun-Kraskino.

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.