Asia-Pacific

80,000 stranded in China’s Hawaii as city in virtual lockdown

Yomiuri Shimbun file photo
Crowded beach with tourists in Sanya, Hainan Province, in 2021

By Kenichi Yoshida / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

13:08 JST, August 8, 2022

GUANGZHOU — Chinese authorities have put Sanya, Hainan Province, known as “China’s Hawaii,” under a virtual lockdown as novel coronavirus infections spread in the city.

About 80,000 tourists are said to be stranded as a result of the lockdown that began Saturday, with the situation possibly causing further confusion at one of China’s most popular resort spots.

More than 800 people, including those who are asymptomatic, were confirmed to have contracted the virus from Aug. 1 to 6, according to an announcement by the municipal authorities and some Chinese media reports.

The city’s public transportation systems have been suspended, and there are tight restrictions on travel by rail and air to and from other areas.

Hainan Provincial authorities announced Saturday that PCR tests will be conducted on all 10 million residents of the province in an effort to contain the spread of infections.