Guangzhou tightens net on imported coronavirus

Authorities in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, have isolated a total of 197 local residents who had close contacts with foreigners confirmed with COVID-19 for further medical observation and testing.

The quarantines were ordered after five foreigners who came from Nigeria tested positive in the city's Kuangquan Street area, a statement released by the city's health commission said on Tuesday. 

The Nigerians were quarantined and transferred earlier this month to Guangzhou No 8 People's Hospital, a facility designated for COVID-19 patients. 

Four of the foreigners, who arrived in the city in early March, had visited a local restaurant multiple times over a number of days before they were identified for isolation, creating a risk that they had spread the coronavirus through the community, the statement said.

To prevent imported infections, Guangzhou requires all inbound passengers from abroad to undergo two weeks of quarantine and to be tested when they arrive in the city.

The city had reported 111 imported cases as of Monday, including 86 Chinese returnees and 25 foreigners.

"Controlling imported cases to prevent a rebound is now the main task for authorities in the city," the statement said.

Cai Wei, a senior officer at the Guangzhou public security bureau, said a foreigner had been punished with an administrative penalty and ordered to leave the country by the end of March for refusing to obey the regulations and rules on preventing and controlling COVID-19.

"The foreigner was investigated and found to have secretly left the venue where he was isolated for medical observation at a time when the medical staff were off guard on March 22," Cai said at a news conference in Guangzhou on Tuesday.