Some parts of the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an was shut down again to avoid an explosion of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, owing to the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant. The officials said Tuesday (July 5) that businesses, schools and restaurants in Xi’an, which is home to 13 million people, will close for one week.&nbsp;

At the fag end of last year, the historic city Xi'an endured a month-long lockdown. Now, the city has reported 18 cases since Saturday in a cluster. As per the official notices, the cases are caused by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is already dominant in the United States and Britain.&nbsp;

Zhang Xuedong, who is the city official, said during a press conference that Xi'an would implement "seven-day temporary control measures". The measures would "allow society to quieten down as much as possible, reduce mobility... and cut the risk of cross-infection".&nbsp;

Zhang said: "We must race against both time and the virus... to guard against all possible risks and hidden dangers, and decisively avoid an explosion in community spreading."&nbsp;

The latest rules will kick in from midnight on Wednesday. As per city government's notice, the public entertainment venues including pubs, internet cafes and karaoke bars would shut their doors.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The notice added that the restaurants will not be allowed to serve diners indoors but may continue to offer takeaway services. Schools are to start the summer holiday early and universities will seal off their campuses.&nbsp;

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Some parts of the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an was shut down again to avoid an explosion of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, owing to the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant.

Some parts of the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an was shut down again to avoid an explosion of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, owing to the highly transmissible Omicron subvariant. The officials said Tuesday (July 5) that businesses, schools and restaurants in Xi’an, which is home to 13 million people, will close for one week. At the fag end of last year, the historic city Xi'an endured a month-long lockdown. Now, the city has reported 18 cases since Saturday in a cluster. As per the official notices, the cases are caused by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, which is already dominant in the United States and Britain. Zhang Xuedong, who is the city official, said during a press conference that Xi'an would implement "seven-day temporary control measures". The measures would "allow society to quieten down as much as possible, reduce mobility... and cut the risk of cross-infection". Zhang said: "We must race against both time and the virus... to guard against all possible risks and hidden dangers, and decisively avoid an explosion in community spreading." The latest rules will kick in from midnight on Wednesday. As per city government's notice, the public entertainment venues including pubs, internet cafes and karaoke bars would shut their doors. The notice added that the restaurants will not be allowed to serve diners indoors but may continue to offer takeaway services. Schools are to start the summer holiday early and universities will seal off their campuses. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Covid in China: A city of 13 million forced to shut down again to avoid 'explosion' of cases

In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021.&nbsp;

The rise in cases triggered by the outbreaks in Shanghai to Shenzhen could be due to the fast-spreading variant commonly known as "stealth omicron".&nbsp;

The country's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday that Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shenzhen-city-begins-lockdown-amid-virus-surge-in-china-462106">Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China</a>

As per the Reuters report, the total this year so far is more than 9,000 and in 2021, the total number of cases was 8,378.&nbsp;

New cases have been reported in the past few weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast.&nbsp;

An increase in cases in one country leads to a rise in the number of Covid infections in other parts of the world. But the question here is, should the world be wary?&nbsp;

It is important to note that the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world. However, the surge has activated China's dynamic zero Covid policy.&nbsp;

As per the nation's zero Covid policy, infections are supposed to be quickly identified and eventually contained. It appears that the country is looking forward to taking some strict measures.&nbsp;

In the latest development, Shanghai has closed schools, parks, cinemas and suspended some long-distance travel amid a resurgence of cases across the financial hub.&nbsp;

On Friday (March 11), the Shanghai authorities announced the closure of all schools except some university-level classes from Monday. Long-distance intercity bus services were also suspended on Monday.&nbsp;

As quoted by Reuters, a 34-year-old Shanghai resident Loyd Ge said residents&nbsp;weren't panicking but were preparing for a complete lockdown.&nbsp;

Ge said, "The long-distance bus station has been closed. A (COVID-19) nucleic acid test is required when travelling to other provinces."

"With these counter-measures, we’ve still run into a new outbreak in Shanghai, which shows that the control measures will be further strengthened. So we should be prepared for a city-wide lockdown as well," the resident added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-deltacron-variant-is-rare-and-similar-to-omicron-experts-say-462149">New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say</a>

As quoted by news agency AP, Zhang Wenhong, who is a&nbsp;prominent infectious disease expert at a hospital affiliated with Shanghai's Fudan University noted in an essay for China's business outlet Caixin&nbsp;on Monday (March 14) that&nbsp;the numbers for the mainland were still in the beginning stages of an "exponential rise".&nbsp;

Shanghai confirmed 41 new cases on Monday and Zhang noted that much of the current outbreak is being driven by the variant commonly known as "stealth omicron," or the B.A.2 lineage of the omicron variant.

Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron, which itself spread faster than the original virus and other variants.&nbsp;

Zhang wrote on Monday, "But if our country opens up quickly now, it will cause a large number of infections in people in a short period of time."&nbsp;

"No matter how low the death rate is, it will still cause a run on medical resources and a short term shock to social life, causing irreparable harm to families and society,"&nbsp;Zhang added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;China locks down tech hub Shenzen; Curbs imposed in Shanghai,other major cities

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(With inputs from agencies)

In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021.

In China, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was first reported in 2019 and subsequently spread worldwide. The country is again witnessing a surge in cases as the nation has reported more local symptomatic Covid cases so far this year than it recorded in all of 2021. The rise in cases triggered by the outbreaks in Shanghai to Shenzhen could be due to the fast-spreading variant commonly known as "stealth omicron". The country's National Health Commission (NHC) said on Monday that Mainland China reported 1,337 new domestically transmitted Covid cases with confirmed symptoms on March 13. ALSO READ | Shenzhen city begins lockdown amid virus surge in China As per the Reuters report, the total this year so far is more than 9,000 and in 2021, the total number of cases was 8,378. New cases have been reported in the past few weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in the provinces of Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shandong and Zhejiang along the coast. An increase in cases in one country leads to a rise in the number of Covid infections in other parts of the world. But the question here is, should the world be wary? It is important to note that the number of infections is small compared with caseloads elsewhere in the world. However, the surge has activated China's dynamic zero Covid policy. As per the nation's zero Covid policy, infections are supposed to be quickly identified and eventually contained. It appears that the country is looking forward to taking some strict measures. In the latest development, Shanghai has closed schools, parks, cinemas and suspended some long-distance travel amid a resurgence of cases across the financial hub. On Friday (March 11), the Shanghai authorities announced the closure of all schools except some university-level classes from Monday. Long-distance intercity bus services were also suspended on Monday. As quoted by Reuters, a 34-year-old Shanghai resident Loyd Ge said residents weren't panicking but were preparing for a complete lockdown. Ge said, "The long-distance bus station has been closed. A (COVID-19) nucleic acid test is required when travelling to other provinces." "With these counter-measures, we’ve still run into a new outbreak in Shanghai, which shows that the control measures will be further strengthened. So we should be prepared for a city-wide lockdown as well," the resident added. ALSO READ | New ‘Deltacron’ variant is rare and similar to Omicron, experts say As quoted by news agency AP, Zhang Wenhong, who is a prominent infectious disease expert at a hospital affiliated with Shanghai's Fudan University noted in an essay for China's business outlet Caixin on Monday (March 14) that the numbers for the mainland were still in the beginning stages of an "exponential rise". Shanghai confirmed 41 new cases on Monday and Zhang noted that much of the current outbreak is being driven by the variant commonly known as "stealth omicron," or the B.A.2 lineage of the omicron variant. Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron, which itself spread faster than the original virus and other variants. Zhang wrote on Monday, "But if our country opens up quickly now, it will cause a large number of infections in people in a short period of time." "No matter how low the death rate is, it will still cause a run on medical resources and a short term shock to social life, causing irreparable harm to families and society," Zhang added. WATCH | China locks down tech hub Shenzen; Curbs imposed in Shanghai,other major cities × (With inputs from agencies)

China sees multiple COVID-19 outbreaks driven by 'stealth omicron'. Should the world be wary?

Lanzhou, a four-million-strong city in northwest China, was placed under lockdown on Tuesday in an effort to contain a domestic coronavirus outbreak, with people ordered not to leave their homes except in an emergency.

"Closed management is to be implemented in all sorts of residential communities," the local administration stated in a statement, as China recorded 29 new domestic illnesses.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-one-place-which-has-been-covid-free-since-pandemic-started-423126">Pictures | The one place which has been Covid-free since pandemic started</a> 
 
Officials in hazmat suits stood guard at the doors of each residential complex, and metal barriers were erected around the perimeter of the area. 
 
Watch | China fights new Covid crisis, outbreaks linked to Shanghai tourists

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People who have visited areas with local COVID-19 infections in the recent 14 days will be denied entry.

Parks, scenic regions, theatres, museums, and other indoor facilities are likewise limited to 75 percent occupancy, and Mahjong rooms have been shuttered.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Earlier, the Chinese capital increased entrance restrictions on Sunday, forcing visitors from areas where proven cases have been established to submit a negative coronavirus test and undergo 14 days of health monitoring.

According to a CNN tally of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission's daily reports, the city has registered 14 confirmed cases in the new outbreak, including 12 in the last three days.

 
As Beijing prepares for the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, a large Covid outbreak would be the last thing Chinese policymakers want to see.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Lanzhou, a four-million-strong city in northwest China, was placed under lockdown on Tuesday in an effort to contain a domestic coronavirus outbreak, with people ordered not to leave their homes except in an emergency.

Lanzhou, a four-million-strong city in northwest China, was placed under lockdown on Tuesday in an effort to contain a domestic coronavirus outbreak, with people ordered not to leave their homes except in an emergency. "Closed management is to be implemented in all sorts of residential communities," the local administration stated in a statement, as China recorded 29 new domestic illnesses. Pictures | The one place which has been Covid-free since pandemic started Officials in hazmat suits stood guard at the doors of each residential complex, and metal barriers were erected around the perimeter of the area. Watch | China fights new Covid crisis, outbreaks linked to Shanghai tourists People who have visited areas with local COVID-19 infections in the recent 14 days will be denied entry. Parks, scenic regions, theatres, museums, and other indoor facilities are likewise limited to 75 percent occupancy, and Mahjong rooms have been shuttered. Earlier, the Chinese capital increased entrance restrictions on Sunday, forcing visitors from areas where proven cases have been established to submit a negative coronavirus test and undergo 14 days of health monitoring. According to a CNN tally of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission's daily reports, the city has registered 14 confirmed cases in the new outbreak, including 12 in the last three days. As Beijing prepares for the 2022 Winter Olympics in February, a large Covid outbreak would be the last thing Chinese policymakers want to see. (With inputs from agencies)

New COVID-19 outbreak in China: Authorities shut down Lanzhou, city of 4 million people