Delta Variant Causes New Outbreak Of COVID-19, Xian City In China Has Locked Its 13 Million Population Down

Illustration of COVID-19 in China (Wikimedia Commons/Painjet)

JAKARTA - The Chinese city of Xian has ordered its 13 million residents to stay at home, urging them not to leave the city unnecessarily as the city struggles to contain the increase in COVID-19 cases under Beijing's guidelines, the outbreak must be stopped as soon as possible.

Xian, located in northwest China, has reported more than 140 locally transmitted infections with confirmed symptoms since December 12, in its latest cluster caused by the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Several cities have detected cases linked to the outbreak in Xian City, including one from the capital Beijing.

Nonetheless, the numbers reported are minuscule compared to the many new outbreaks seen around the world, including some driven by the Omicron strain that emerged last month.

Meanwhile, the Xian City Government vowed to suppress the movement of its residents, as Beijing has signaled it will not tolerate a significant spread of infection.

The city has yet to impose a strict lockdown as seen in early 2020 in Wuhan City, but urges residents not to leave the city unless they are tested for COVID-19 prior to departure, as well as obtain permission from employers or community-level authorities.

It is understood local authorities have blocked more than 7.000 people from trying to leave, state broadcaster CCTV said, without elaborating.

Starting Thursday, only one person in each Xian City household can go out to shop for necessities every two days, while the rest of the family will have to stay at home unless they have important work, Xian government official Zhang Fenghu told a news briefing.

The city has also suspended dining in restaurants as well as major conferences and fairs, closed non-essential businesses, and told employees to work remotely.

To note, China has reported several cases of Omicron among international travelers and one locally transmitted infection.