Jilin City Stops Buses, Shuts Schools After Outbreak

The northeastern city of Jilin has partially shut its borders, cut off transport links and closed schools after the emergence of a local coronavirus cluster that has fuelled fears about a second wave of infections ion the mainland.

Jilin, with a population of more than four million, suspended bus services on Wednesday and said it will only allow residents to leave the city if they have tested negative for Covid-19 in the past 48 hours and complete an unspecified period of "strict self-isolation".

All cinemas, indoor gyms, internet cafes and other enclosed entertainment venues must shut immediately, and pharmacies must report all sales of fever and antiviral medicines, the local government said in a statement.

The city is located in the eponymous province of Jilin, which borders Russia and North Korea.

A cluster of infections was reported in the suburb of Shulan over the weekend, with Jilin's vice mayor warning on Wednesday that the situation was "extremely severe and complicated" and "there is major risk of further spread".

The city recorded six new cases on Wednesday, all linked to the Shulan cluster, bringing the total number of cases connected to a local laundry worker to 21.

Shulan shut down public transport including trains leaving the city on Sunday.

Jilin city, the second-largest in Jilin province, also suspended train services from its main railway station on Wednesday morning, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

The city announced on Wednesday that schools that had reopened in recent weeks would have to shut again, with students returning to online learning.

Final-year high school students across Jilin province returned to campuses on April 7 after months at home, while some younger students had been scheduled to resume classes this week, according to CCTV. (AFP)