More than 80,000 tourists are stranded on the southern Chinese island of Hainan after Covid-19 cases were detected, prompting authorities to cancel all local flights and trains.
Today 483 cases of covid-19 were registered in the coastal city of Sanya, which has more than a million inhabitants, on the island of Hainan, nicknamed the “Chinese Hawaii”, according to the AFP news agency.
All flights from Sanya, a popular spot for surfers, were canceled over the weekend and train ticket sales were suspended.
Tourists who want to go out must have five negative PCR tests carried out in the last seven days, according to health officials.
Hotels in the city must offer their guests a 50% discount until travel restrictions are lifted, an official said at a news conference on Saturday.
In Sanya, public entertainment venues such as spas and bars have been closed since last week, but essential services such as supermarkets and pharmacies remain open.
China is the only major economy that continues to pursue a “zero covid” strategy, imposing lockdowns and lengthy quarantines that penalize local tourism.
The country’s borders have been virtually closed since the beginning of 2020, preventing the entry of foreign visitors.
Source: Observadora
