Guangzhou upgrades screening measures

Guangzhou, Guangdong province, has upgraded its anti-coronavirus measures related to imported cases, as overseas arrivals have increased.

All people arriving in the city from overseas, no matter whether they entered via Guangzhou ports or other domestic ports, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, must undergo tests for the virus, the local government announced.

"The prevention and control measures related to imported cases have now covered passengers arriving from all countries and regions," said Wei Min, deputy director of the Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau.

From Feb 27 to Sunday, ports in Guangzhou have handled 25,330 passengers arriving from overseas, with the daily number reaching more than 2,500 in the last six days.

"We have simplified measures related to customs-clearance at ports to reduce the time passengers must spend at airports," Wei said.

As of Sunday, 9,180 people who had arrived from overseas to Guangzhou have been isolated and are under medical observation, Wei said.

On Sunday alone, Guangzhou reported three new imported cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total to 24, according to the Guangzhou Health Commission.