China: Officials continue to impose tighter COVID-19 curbs in parts of Chifeng and Erenhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 21 /update 1

Event

Officials in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region continue to impose curbs in parts of Chifeng and Erenhot as of June 21 due to COVID-19 activity. Authorities have designated Beijiang, Dongcheng, Erren, Hohe, Nanyuan, Wulan, Xicheng, and Xilin communities in Erenhot as high risk and Jiashun, Jinhai, and Xuefu communities in Chifeng as medium risk. Officials likely require residents of and individuals with recent exposure to the locations to remain in their homes; exceptions may be possible for emergencies and essential reasons. Authorities will 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. Cities will likely require a negative nucleic acid test result for interprovincial travel or exiting passengers; the testing window can vary between 24-48 hours before departure. Other provincial and municipal governments may require individuals who have recently traveled to areas with higher disease activity to undergo COVID-19 testing and/or mandatory institutional quarantine periods. Flight disruptions are possible at airports in the region, especially Erenhot Saiwusu International Airport (ERL) and Chifeng Yulong Airport (CIF). Business operations and supply chain disruptions are possible in industrial areas affected by localized restrictions and at China-Mongolia border checkpoints.

Advice

Strictly heed the instructions of authorities. Avoid all nonessential operations in areas impacted by travel controls. Confirm appointments. Remain cooperative if approached and questioned by law enforcement officers.