China's Zhengzhou city to tighten COVID-19 rules

BEIJING: Eight districts in the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou will conduct mass COVID-19 testing for five consecutive days from Nov 25, state television CCTV reported on Wednesday (Nov 23).

Residents in "high-risk" compounds are required to stay at home, while those living in other areas should not go out unless necessary, CCTV reported.

People are not allowed to enter venues such as restaurants, shopping malls and indoor gyms within five days of arriving in Zhengzhou city, and need to complete three PCR tests within these days, local media reported, citing a media briefing.

They can take public transport after completing the first COVID-19 test after arrival, according to local media.

The central city reported 996 COVID-19 positive cases in the primary screening as of 8pm on Wednesday, CCTV said.

Separately, the northeastern Chinese city of Shenyang is also tightening rules to combat the latest COVID-19 flare-ups, CCTV reported.

The city will conduct regional PCR tests in nine districts from Nov 24 to Nov 28, strictly curb non-essential movement of people, and suspend dine-in services in these areas, it said.