Guangzhou adds 11 new cases and requires virus test for travel

Guangdong province reported on Monday 11 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, all in Guangzhou city and including one previously identified as asymptomatic.

Guangzhou also recorded two more local asymptomatic carriers, according to the provincial health commission.

In an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, some passengers who failed to present a negative result for a nucleic acid test done within 72 hours were stopped from taking a train and a flight at Guangzhou South Railway Station and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on Monday night, reported Nanfang Daily.

All people leaving Guangzhou city at the airport, railway stations and coach terminals would be required to present a negative result of a nucleic acid test done within 72 hours starting at 10 pm on Monday, the city's authority for COVID-19 epidemic control announced on Sunday.

Passengers who cannot receive the nucleic acid test result in time can cancel their trips or change their tickets for free.

In a more detailed explanation of the policy, the Guangzhou Transportation Bureau said on Monday night those driving a private vehicle or truck within Guangdong province, those taking inter-city metros, buses, taxis and ride-hailing vehicles from Guangzhou, are not subject to the nucleic acid test result requirement.

Those traveling from Guangzhou to destinations outside Guangdong province in small vehicles are required present a negative result of a nucleic acid test done within 72 hours.

People who have bought tickets for travel are entitled to a prioritized nucleic acid test.

Similar requirements will be implemented concerning people leaving neighboring Foshan city starting at noon on Wednesday, Foshan's authority for COVID-19 epidemic control announced on Tuesday.

To ensure the operation of trucks, 10 venues have been established in Guangzhou to provide free nucleic acid tests to truck drivers working on truck lines.

All public sport venues have been shut down in medium-risk areas in Guangzhou, while in other parts of the city, indoor sports venues and swimming pools have been closed, according to the city's sport administration.