Over 13 million people were ordered to stay home in the Chinese city of Xi’an, which imposed a strict lockdown on Wednesday and dramatically tightened travel controls to fight a growing Covid-19 outbreak.
With Beijing preparing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, China is on high alert as it fights local outbreaks in several cities.
Local media confirmed that the new restrictions were imposed after Xi’an reported 52 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 143 since December 9.
The city government in a statement on its official social media account instructed that from midnight on Thursday, all households may only “send one household member outside once every two days to purchase necessities,” with all others ordered to remain indoors except for emergencies.
The government further said residents should not leave the city unless necessary, adding that those seeking to leave would have to provide evidence of “special circumstances” and apply for approval. The orders came a day after the city in northern China began testing all of its 13 million residents.
