COVID test must for travelers leaving Guangdong via Shenzhen

All passengers leaving China's Guangdong province via land and air routes from Shenzhen must present a green health code and a negative nucleic acid test result to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, officials said on Saturday at an epidemic prevention and control news conference.

Shenzhen reported two newly confirmed cases on Friday. One of the cases is a waitress at a restaurant at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport, said the municipal health commission.

The result of genome sequencing showed that this person was infected with a strain of the virus known as the delta variant, which was first detected in India.

A total 110 close contacts of this person have been quarantined for medical observation.

All shops and restaurants at the airport have been closed. Authorities said that from 1pm on Saturday, a negative nucleic acid result, taken within the previous 48 hours, is required for anyone to enter the airport's working areas. These areas would include its terminals, airline bases and warehouses.

Mass testing for COVID-19 was immediately deployed for all airport staff.

Shenzhen airport said it will coordinate with airlines on inbound and outbound flight operations, and to meet passenger travel demand and to ensure safety.