Guangzhou tightens controls as COVID-19 cases rise

Prevention and control measures against COVID-19 have been strengthened in some districts of Guangzhou, Guangdong province, as the city continued to report hundreds of new infections over the past several days.

In Conghua district, classes for students in six townships and sub-districts were suspended starting on Thursday, and in-person instruction at after-school training institutions was also canceled, according to local authorities.

In the city's Nansha district, operations at indoor entertainment venues, scenic spots and public facilities including libraries and museums were also suspended, along with dining services in several townships.

All residential communities and villages in Panyu district will be under closed management, requiring people entering these areas to present negative results of nuclei acid tests within 48 hours, according to a notice issued by the local government on Wednesday evening.

In the hardest-hit Haizhu district, strengthened prevention and control measures have been extended to Nov 27. Under the measures, residents living in controlled areas are required to stay at home unless absolutely necessary, with public transportation services being suspended and highway entrances to the areas temporarily closed.

Guangzhou reported 428 new locally transmitted confirmed cases and 7,192 asymptomatic carriers on Wednesday, of which 50 were found at community level, according to local health authorities.