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The northern Chinese city of Xi'an has ordered all 13 million residents to stay in homes where the closure is tight on Wednesday, while tightening traffic controls to combat the growing Covid-19 outbreak.
As Beijing prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, China is increasingly vigilant as it battles local bombings in several cities.
On Wednesday, Xi'an reported new 52 cases of coronavirus , total to 143 since Dec 9.
From midnight on Thursday, all families could "send one family member out once every two days to buy necessities," and all others were instructed to stay indoors without emergency, the city government said in a statement.
Citizens "should not leave the city unless necessary," the government said, adding that those who wanted to leave would have to provide proof of "special circumstances" and apply for authorization.
The orders came a day after the city began surveying all of its 13 million inhabitants.
Long-distance bus travelling and stations have been closed and authorities have set up health checkup points on highways from Xi'an, government officials said.
According to VariFlight, 85 percent of flights to and from major metropolitan airports have been suspended.
Within the city, passenger traffic was reduced on buses and trains, and schools were closed.
All "non-essential" businesses and public places except supermarkets, grocery stores and medical centers have been ordered to close, and local government has urged employers to allow people to work from home, CCTV reported.
Large gatherings for activities in outdoor parks have been canceled, and the museum is housed with the world-renowned Terracotta Army - the 2,000-year-old XNUMX of China's first emperor - closed until further notice.
China - where the coronavirus first discovered - has reduced new cases to worsening since mid-last year through a zero-Covid strategy that includes strict border controls, targeted closures and long-term detention.
Even a single case can lead to the rapid formation of curbs.
The town south of Dongxing on Tuesday ordered its 200,000 residents to stand alone at home after being diagnosed with the disease.
Source- NDTV
