Hangzhou issues 48-hour testing rule for holiday activities

Starting on Saturday, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, will require all its residents to have a coronavirus test within 48 hours to enter public spaces or use public transportation.

The order is a response to a resurgence of COVID-19 in the city's Gongshu district ahead of the five-day Labor Day holiday, which runs until Wednesday.

It means Hangzhou residents can travel as usual within the city so long as they receive a nucleic acid test within the time limit.

Regular nucleic acid testing started on Thursday, the Hangzhou government said. The order covers the West Lake Scenic Area and the districts of Shangcheng, Gongshu, Xihu, Binjiang, Xiaoshan, Yuhang, Linping and Qiantang.

Around 10,000 sites for free testing will be set up in the city to protect people's health and curb the further spread of the infection.

Sampling points have been set up at government agencies, enterprises, institutions, residential quarters, bus stations, railway stations, subway stations, trading markets, logistics centers, commercial complexes, shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, schools and activity centers.

In addition to those locations, Hangzhou will add more temporary sampling sites in the form of mobile vehicles or kiosks to make it easier for people to take a test.

Fang Xiaoying in Hangzhou contributed to this story.