CHINA: The COVID-19 outbreak on the China-Myanmar border pushed new COVID-19 cases to the country. Despite tightened border security, the cases from Myanmar are directly impacting the Chinese region.
In late 2019, the COVID-19 virus first emerged in central China. However, a series of strict measures and border restrictions have succeeded in stamping out cases within its borders.
On Wednesday, 57 new infections were reported. This is the highest daily tally since late January.
According to the health authorities in Yunnan, 12 of the COVID-19 infections are from Myanmar. Meanwhile, the authorities have blamed the outbreak on the more contagious Delta variant.
Ruili, the major crossing point from Muse in neighboring Myanmar, has seen a surge in unrest since a February 1 military coup. Due to this, people may flood across the China-Myanmar border to escape the violence.
On Tuesday, the provincial governor said that the authorities would “resolutely plug all loopholes that may lead to importing the virus”. Out of 210,000 residents in the city around 90 cases were reported.
Ruili has been placed under lockdown and the residents are urged to follow the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. It is the second time in four months that Ruili has been locked down over the discovery of cases imported from Myanmar.
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Meanwhile, China has closed the main bridge and crossing to Myanmar in March as cases surged across the border.
Along with this, the Chinese authorities have also deployed more soldiers and increased patrols to prevent illegal border crossings.
