China: Officials impose partial lockdown measures in Tangshan, Hebei Province, as of April 19 /update 3

Event

Officials in Hebei Province are imposing partial lockdown measures in Tangshan from 06:00 April 19. The affected locations include Fengnan, Kaiping, Lubei, and Lunan districts and Yutian County. Residents must undergo daily COVID-19 tests and all businesses must close. Officials will likely impose exit and entry controls on roadways to the affected districts; exemptions are likely for logistics and emergency vehicles. Authorities may impose similar measures in other locations in Tangshan depending on disease activity. Officials will also likely restrict social gatherings.

As of April 19, officials have designated Futudian Town in Jize County, Handan, as medium risk. Residents of and individuals with recent exposure to these areas must remain in their homes; exceptions may be possible for emergencies and essential reasons. Officials restrict travel to and from the affected communities. Authorities typically maintain measures until two weeks after the latest confirmed community case and will probably carry out several rounds of testing before easing restrictions.

Additional measures are likely if there are new COVID-19 cases. Provincial and municipal governments may require testing and/or quarantine for travelers from the affected areas in Hebei Province; some local governments may ban travelers with a recent travel history to such locations. Officials could launch testing operations in other areas of Hebei Province; several rounds of testing in medium-risk areas are likely before restrictions ease. Business closures and disruption to production operations in Hebei Province's industrial areas, as well as flight cancellations and delays at regional airports like Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport (SJW), are possible. Air travelers returning to Shijiazhuang and Chengde must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 48 hours and undergo an on-arrival test.

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.