More than 80,000 tourists are stuck on the island of Hainan, in southern China, after cases of covid-19 were detected that led authorities to cancel all flights and trains locally.
On Sunday, 483 coronavirus cases were reported in the tourist city of Sanya, which has more than a million inhabitants, on the island of Hainan, nicknamed the “Chinese Hawaii”.
All flights from Sanya, a popular spot for surfers in particular, were canceled over the weekend and train ticket sales were suspended.
Five negative PCR tests to start over
Tourists wishing to leave must have had five negative PCR tests in the past seven days, health authorities said.
Hotels in the city must offer their clients a 50% discount until travel restrictions are lifted, a representative of the authorities said during a press conference on Saturday.
In Sanya, public entertainment venues like spas, karaoke bars and bars have been closed since last week, but essential services like supermarkets and pharmacies remain open.
China is the only major economy that continues to pursue a zero covid strategy, imposing lockdowns and lengthy quarantines that penalize local tourism. The country’s borders have been almost completely closed since the beginning of 2020, preventing the entry of foreign visitors.
Source: BFM TV
