Traffic control set to lower infection risk in Xiongan

Anxin county in North China's Hebei province started banning vehicles from entering or leaving its area starting at 12 am on Thursday, in an effort to lower cross-infection risk since the county has continually reported confirmed COVID-19 patients in recent days.

All vehicles that pass through the county's area will be forbidden, except for those with authorized missions, like fire trucks and ambulances, according to a notice from the county's anti-virus leading work group.

Located in Xiongan New Area, about 100 kilometers southwest of Beijing, the county reported two COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total number in the county to nine since Sunday, according to the Health Commission of Hebei.

The patients are either business runners at Beijing Xinfadi wholesale market, or people who had contacts with confirmed patients reported in the capital or in the county.

Vehicles and people who need to go out of the county are required to show permits issued by local authorities in towns, communities or employers, said the notice, released on Thursday.

People who need to commute to and from Anxin county every day should have permit documents issued by the county's anti-virus leading work group.

Those with symptoms of fever or cough are not allowed to leave the county. Those who don't abide by the regulations will be punished by security authorities, the notice said.

As of Wednesday, Hebei has reported 10 COVID-19 patients, with one in Dingzhou in Baoding.