China has strengthened a series of anti-epidemic measures including advising residents to stay put from September to late October, the National Health Commission (NHC) announced on Thursday, as frequent personnel flows and gatherings in the two upcoming holidays - the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day Holiday -- bring more risks of COVID-19 flare-ups. Afterwards, the tightened measures will be adjusted based on the epidemic situation, authorities said.
The measures were made to avoid epidemic spread around the holidays and minimize the impact on people's normal lives, according to officials. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary trips and passengers must present a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 48 hours before boarding planes, trains, buses or other means of transportation.
Wu said that these measures will be taken from September 10 to the end of October, and then authorities will further optimize them, based on the epidemic situation.
Cross-provincial passengers are suggested to take nucleic acid tests when arriving at their destinations. Also, a health code and 72-hour nucleic acid test negative result are needed before checking into hotels or entering tourist attractions.
The authorities also suggest avoiding unnecessary gatherings, and for events that must be held, people should follow the related preventive measures including 48-hour nucleic acid test negative results.
