China Quietly Locks Down Area Near Beijing A Week Before Winter Olympics
NDTV
Beijing Winter Olympics: Around 1.2 million people in Xiong'an New Area -- located 100 km from China's capital -- are no longer allowed to enter or leave their residential compounds, as the Winter Games approach.
Chinese authorities locked down an area neighbouring Beijing this week following a handful of reported coronavirus cases but made no public announcements about the fresh restrictions with just a week until the Winter Olympics.
About 1.2 million people in Xiong'an New Area -- a new economic zone 100 kilometres southwest of China's capital -- are no longer allowed to enter or leave their residential compounds, local virus prevention staff confirmed to AFP on Friday.
While recent lockdowns in China are publicly announced and widely reported by state media, the Xiong'an restrictions appear to have been introduced without notice -- sparking confusion among some residents of the area.
"We expect this (lockdown) to last around a week, but the exact timing is uncertain," said virus prevention staff in Xiong County, one of three counties in the area.
