China: Officials in Heilongjiang Province imposing tighter COVID-19 curbs in Harbin as of March 21 /update 3

Event

Officials in Heilongjiang Province are imposing tighter curbs in Harbin City as of March 21 due to COVID-19 activity. Individuals located in Harbin's Daoli, Daowai, Hulan, Nangang, Pingfang, Songbei, and Xiangfang districts are restricted from leaving the city's main urban areas. Officials also advise people in Acheng, Bin, Bayan, Fangzheng, Mulan, Shuangcheng, Tonghe, Yanshou, and Yilan districts against leaving the areas. Exemptions are possible for essential reasons; individuals who need to travel between districts and counties must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 48 hours and a "green" health code. The movement controls are not applicable to emergency vehicles and essential personnel. Vehicles may only carry up to 50 percent passenger capacity. All nonessential businesses are suspended. Essential employees must hold a negative nucleic acid test certificate taken within 48 hours to enter their workplace; the testing requirements also apply to individuals entering shopping malls and supermarkets. Testing of residents is underway in Harbin.

Tighter curbs also remain in place in Suifenhe as of March 21. Residents are advised not to leave the city, while nonessential indoor businesses are closed. Testing of residents is underway. Nonessential businesses and schools are closed. Companies that can operate must abide by health protocols, including social distancing of 1 meter (3 feet) and temperature measurement. Food establishments cannot offer dine-in services. Officials have eased traffic restrictions in the city and resumed public transport. Travelers entering Suifenhe must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 48 hours and take another test on arrival. Individuals who need to leave Suifenhe for essential reasons must hold a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 24 hours and report to local authorities on arrival.

The tightest curbs are in place in high- and medium-risk areas. Authorities classify Bajiazi and Lalin towns in Wuchang City as high risk, while 10 areas in Harbin's Daoli, Daowai, and Nangang districts are medium risk. 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. Officials 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 Jixi and Suifenhe 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.