Covid in China: Tens of thousands of tourists stuck on Hainan Island
Faced with cases of Covid, thousands of Chinese tourists are stuck on the island of Hainan, the "Chinese Hawaii".
(illustration image) AP - Peng Peng
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
More than 80,000 Chinese tourists are stranded on the island of Hainan, in southern China, after the detection of more than 1,400 cases of Covid contamination.
The authorities reinforced health measures on Monday August 8 by expanding the containment perimeter to new areas and reducing public transport.
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This is a blow for the very touristic island of Hainan, a flagship destination for surfers and also nicknamed Chinese Hawaii.
The island, located in the South China Sea, had recorded only two local cases of Covid last year.
In the past month, more than 1,400 cases have been reported, prompting authorities to block more than 80,000 tourists, including 25,000 in Sanya alone, the island's southernmost resort.
The provincial capital Haikou, which has nearly 3 million inhabitants, and two smaller cities, Ledong and Chengmai, confined their residents on Monday.
Only outings are authorized for testing, shopping or for jobs deemed essential.
Before leaving the island, tourists will be required to undergo five PCR tests over a seven-day period, all of which must be negative.
Provincial authorities have further required hotels to offer a 50% discount to their guests until travel restrictions are lifted.
In the meantime, all flights from or to Hainan have been canceled, with no more trains running on the island.
Public transport has been suspended until further notice.
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