Dongguan launched its citywide testing programme following two cases reported since Friday. City authorities told residents not to leave the city, except for essential reasons and that those leaving must show negative test results within 48 hours of departure.
A few entrances on highways to other cities were closed, while all shuttle buses linking airports in other cities and check-in terminals in Dongguan were halted. Some museums and libraries in the city also closed to visitors. Its factories are still running, however.
Guangdong has reported 168 confirmed infections since 21 May, with nearly 90% of them in its capital, Guangzhou. The cases are few compared with the rest of the world and previous outbreaks in China. But Guangdong, a key entry point for travellers and cargo, is not taking any chances.
It has sped up its vaccination effort since the outbreak. By 19 May, before any local cases were reported, the province of 126 million people had administered 39.15m doses. By 20 June, the figure was 101.12m, meaning more than 60% of its doses were injected over one month.
