In the past month, the COVID-19 virus has been spreading in China. Several cities have been locked down, with a total of 29 millions people impacted. Out of the total 32 provinces in China, 29 have asked people to stay where they are and not to travel during the Chinese New Year.
#1: As of January 18, 2021, the Chinese government announced 4 high-risk areas and 88 medium-risk areas, all in Beijing, Hebei Province, and the three Northeastern provinces – Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning.
The high-risk areas are:
- Gaocheng District, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province (河北省石家庄市藁城区)
- Xinle City, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province (河北省石家庄市新乐市)
- Nangong Shi, Xingtai City, Hebei Province (河北省邢台市南宫市)
- Huiqi Township, Wangkui County, Suihua City, Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省绥化市望奎县惠七镇)
The Medium-risk areas are in the following cities:
- Beijing City (with 6 medium-risk areas)
- Tonghua City, Jilin Province (20)
- Changchun City, Jilin Province (11)
- Langfang City, Hebei Province (1)
- Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province (35)
- Xingtai City, Hebei Province (1)
- Dalian City, Liaoning Province (3)
- Shenyang City, Liaoning Province (2)
- Harbin City, Heilongjiang Province (4)
- Suihua City, Heilongjiang Province (1)
- Hehei City, Heilongjiang Province (3)
- Tsitsihar City, Heilongjiang Province (1)
#2: By January 11, 29 out of the 32 provincial administrations in China have asked people to stay in their current location (do not travel or go back to your hometown) for Chinese New Year (February 12, 2021). Traditionally, Chinese people return to their hometown or go to their parent’s home to celebrate Chinese New Year. Beijing was the first to launch the “stay in current location” initiative. (Xinhua)
#3: Local governments provided different incentives to get people to stay where they, including rent reductions, subsidies, and offering of free bus rides, free data on the Internet, free movie tickets, and free entrance tickets to tourist sites. (VOA)
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