China: Authorities expanding tighter COVID-19 curbs to other parts of Hainan Province as of Aug. 13 /update 3

Event

Authorities have expanded strict COVID-19 curbs to more parts of Hainan Province as of Aug. 13 amid ongoing COVID-19 activity. Officials are enforcing heightened measures in Dongfang city through 23:59 Aug. 14 and Chengmai County through 07:00 Aug. 15. Authorities also continue to enforce movement restrictions in Qionghai; emergency personnel and people performing key jobs may apply for a Temporary Vehicle Pass for Qionghai City. Haikou authorities enforced tightened measures Aug. 12 and may continue to implement stricter restrictions in the coming days. Officials had previously implemented measures in other locations, such as Danzhou and Lingshui, and may expand restrictions to other areas if caseloads increase.

The government continues to impose COVID-19 restrictions in Sanya. Residents may only leave home once every two days to purchase necessities. Nonessential businesses are closed. Tighter security protocols, including checkpoints, are in place in districts and neighborhoods to ensure compliance with the measures. Authorities have banned travel to and from Sanya and have suspended public transport citywide, including most flights to and from Sanya. Visitors to Yalong and Sanya bays must have a negative nucleic acid test result within 24 hours. The government has not indicated how long the measures will continue but suggested that the intensified citywide curbs are temporary.

The tightest curbs continue in designated high- and medium-risk locations in Hainan Province. As of Aug. 13, officials have classified 239 sites as high risk and 141 places as medium risk. Residents in high-risk areas must stay at home, while people living in medium-risk locations must limit movement to the immediate area. 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 one week after the latest date of newly confirmed community cases. Officials will likely conduct 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, may occur in other areas of Hainan Province in the coming days. Production and supply chain disruptions are likely in areas affected by COVID-19 exit and entry controls.

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.