Chinese holidaymakers are trapped on Hainan.

Chinese holidaymakers are trapped on Hainan.
© Adobe Stock / Dream Architect

Covid-19: Chinese holidaymakers trapped on an island

Due to a Covid-19 outbreak, thousands of tourists are currently not allowed to leave the island of Hainan.

China, the country where Covid-19 originated, is known for its stringent measures to fight the virus: if cases occur in a city or region, curfews and other regulations are immediately imposed. Because of this, there have already been protests when people could no longer access necessities including food, with Shanghai residents voicing their opposition after a Covid-19 outbreak in April.

New outbreak of Covid-19

A new outbreak of Covid-19 is being reported, with several hundred infections registered on Hainan Island. Hainan is a popular holiday destination for Chinese travellers, and is known as the “Hawaii of China”. According to estimates, around 80,000 holidaymakers are currently confined to the island and immediately after the infections became known, all flights and rail connections were stopped, with holidaymakers forced to stay on the island. At Sanya Airport, more than 160 flights were cancelled in one day, with Chinese tourists loudly demanding that flights be resumed. At the moment, however, a return to the mainland is impossible, with authorities insisting tourists must stay in their hotel rooms or holiday flats.

Five tests

Only after a seven-day testing phase, during which five PCR tests have to be carried out, are holidaymakers who test negative allowed to leave the island. All leisure facilities have been closed, and only pharmacies and supermarkets remain open.

Falstaff Editorial Team
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