A second city in China has gone back into lockdown after a surge in coronavirus cases sparking fears of a second wave of the deadly pandemic.
Jilin, in the north of the country, has imposed travel restrictions, closed off residential areas and banned gatherings, days after Shulan also went back into lockdown.
The city, which has a population of four million, is only allowing residents to leave if they have tested negative for covid-19 in the past 48 hours and completed an unspecified period of "strict self-isolation".
A local government statement said 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.
Jilin's vice mayor Gai Dongping, warned today that the situation was "extremely severe and complicated" and "there is major risk of further spread".
“In order to prevent and stem the spread of the epidemic, the Jilin epidemic prevention and control group has decided to implement control measures in the urban area of Jilin,” she said
The city’s education bureau announced that all schools would be closed with immediate effect, and any group activities have been banned.
Some middle school and all high school students in the city had returned to the classroom last month after a lengthy shutdown, and more were due to go back soon.
Now they will all be learning from home again.
There were 21 cases linked to one laundry worker, a 45-year-old woman, in the city of Shulan.
The virus has now spread to her husband, three sisters and some other family members, according to the local health authority on Sunday.
The source of infection of the laundrywoman remains a mystery, as she had no recent travel or exposure history.
Locals are concerned about whether the virus has found a new way of spreading.
An epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
Saudi Arabia has also gone back into lockdown, after infections went up after restrictions were eased.
