"Principally, Everyone Stay at Home"... Lockdown Management Extends to Rural Areas in Hubei Province, China

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Chinese government has strengthened control measures against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Hubei Province. Vehicle traffic within the province is restricted, and entry and exit controls have been further tightened.

According to Chinese media on the 17th, Hubei Province instructed all residents, including those living in rural areas, to stay at home in principle until further notice. Accordingly, vehicle traffic within the province is controlled, and public places have been closed.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

With this measure, Hubei Province is divided into 200,000 areas, and movement is only allowed through one entrance per area. The lockdown-style management already implemented in cities has now been expanded to rural areas. Each area allows entry only to its members, and one person per household is permitted to purchase food every three days.

A government official stated, "In principle, all residents must stay at home," adding, "If it is necessary to go outside, masks must be worn and a distance of 1.5 meters from others must be maintained."

As a result of this measure, all public facilities related to culture, sports, and tourism in Hubei Province have been closed. Additionally, weddings must be postponed, and funerals should be conducted at a minimal level. Visiting other people's homes and playing mahjong or card games with others are also prohibited.

Essential facilities such as markets will control access through temperature checks and other measures.

Regarding vehicles, only those authorized, such as police and ambulances, are allowed to use the roads.

Hubei Province explained that after implementing lockdown-style management across all cities in the province last week, rural areas have now also entered lockdown-style management.