The policy comes as China works to snuff out sporadic outbreaks in different parts of the country. Clusters have broken out in recent months in Ruili, Yunnan province, which borders Myanmar, and Manzhouli in Inner Mongolia, near Russia and Mongolia.
The country is now battling an outbreak in the northwestern city of Xian, believed to have originated with a passenger on a flight from Pakistan, before spilling over to six cities in five provinces.
Liang Wannian, a former National Health Commission (NHC) official who heads a panel of experts advising the government on its coronavirus response, said the outbreaks showed the need to double down on its control measures in the face of Omicron, instead of adjusting them.
A circular issued by the NHC earlier this month said local governments with vibrant border trade should consider setting up buffer zones. As for air traffic hubs, it advised increased surveillance and screening of airport and cargo workers, as well as strengthened sanitisation procedures for cold chain areas.
Liang said life inside the buffer zones would go on as normal, as long as there were no Covid-19 cases.
If an infection is detected inside a buffer zone, control measures like screening and contact tracing will target specific areas within it.
“Checkpoints will be set up in buffer zones, such as villages that are closest to the roads at the border, and residents cannot leave these zones unless necessary. Special requirements will be attached to those who have to leave the zones,” Liang said.
