Shortly after two locally transmitted cases of novel coronavirus were reported in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Jan. 7, the Shenzhen public health authorities issued a notice upgrading of the city’s COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control measures.

According to the notice, people are discouraged from leaving Shenzhen except for absolutely necessary reasons; those leaving Shenzhen after Jan. 7 must hold certificates for negative nucleic acid test results for the virus issued at most 48 hours before their departure.

Inbound visitors to Shenzhen, who come from medium and high-risk regions and places where positive cases have been reported over the previous 14 days, must report to their communities, units, and hotels at their destination in Shenzhen and be cooperative with the implementation of local epidemic prevention and control measures, the notice says.

All people must wear face masks, practice epidemic protocols, have their temperature measured, and show their health codes in public areas and before taking public transportation. All large-scale activities are suspended in the Longgang and Luohu districts, where the aforementioned two cases were reported, according to the notice.

Moreover, shopping malls, theaters, museums, cinemas, restaurants, supermarkets, and sightseeing spots must restrict the number of consumers and visitors below 50% of their maximum handling capacity.

All local residents must be cooperative to take nucleic acid tests and all qualified and unvaccinated people should get vaccinated as soon as possible. All local residents should keep social distancing, wear face masks, wash hands frequently, manage their personal hygiene well, and avoid public gatherings, the notice says.