China Locks Down Dandong Again After Two COVID-19 Cases Detected

Possibility of North Korea-China Freight Train Operations Being Suspended Again

On the morning of September 27, the Gaorije (高麗街, Goryeo Street) alley located across the road from the Dandong Customs in Liaoning Province, China, was deserted, enveloped in silence. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Dandong City in Liaoning Province, China, a key hub for trade with North Korea, has been locked down again due to the occurrence of COVID-19 infections. Dandong's quarantine authorities announced on the 1st, "Starting from 5 a.m., all areas in the Dandong region will be under 'static management'."

Accordingly, except for epidemic prevention and control, essential production facilities, and emergency rescue personnel, work has shifted to remote work, and all residents are prohibited from going out except for urgent medical treatment or other essential reasons.

Public transportation such as city buses and taxis has stopped, public facilities, all commercial establishments, and restaurants have closed, and parcel delivery services have been suspended. Essential goods like groceries are delivered by volunteers based on residents' orders.

The quarantine authorities stated that the static management period will last until the 4th but may be extended depending on the COVID-19 situation. If the lockdown in Dandong is prolonged, North Korea-China freight train operations may also be suspended again.

In Dandong, one new infection case was reported on both the 30th and 31st of last month. This is the first occurrence of new infections in Dandong in over three months since one case was reported on July 17.

This is the second lockdown in Dandong this year, following the one on April 25. Dandong had fully locked down the city in April due to the spread of COVID-19 but normalized operations on July 28.

Across China, 2,227 new domestic infection cases were reported on the 31st alone. In 28 out of 31 provinces and cities, infections have been reported, indicating a trend of COVID-19 spreading.