Some 14 million people are being tested in the Chinese port city of Tianjin as new COVID-19 cases were discovered – including cases of the Omicron variant.
Tianjin, one of the busiest ports in the world handling 17.6 million TEU in January to October last year, reported 40 local infections across the city on 10 January. At least two cases included the Omicron variant.
The virus has spread for at least three generations in the latest resurgence, and more cases may emerge, said Zhang Ying, Deputy Director of the city’s center for disease control and prevention.
The Tianjin municipal government also issued a regulation on Sunday night to tighten travel out of the city. Travelers who have to leave the city would have to show their health codes and negative nucleic acid test results no older than 48 hours.
Tianjin Port has tested 4,920 employees as of 1pm on 9 January, the port announced.
So far, work at the major port remains unimpacted, with all wharf companies continuing to operate normally.
However, inland supply chains could be stalled with the imposition of regionalised lockdowns in the area.
