Fresh Covid outbreak in China: Flights cancelled, schools & park shut in many cities

Authorities in China cancelled hundreds of flights, closed schools and ramped up mass testing on Thursday to try and stamp out a new Covid-19 outbreak linked to a group of tourists.

Reports suggest that the group visited Shanghai before flying to Xi'an, Gansu province and Mongolia. Subsequently, dozens of cases are feared to be linked to their visit in at least five provinces, including Beijing.

Reports confirm that nearly 60% of flights to two of China's major airports - Xi'an and Lanzhou - are temporarily suspended.

Further, Chinese authorities have announced mass Covid testing and shutdown of tourist locations, entertainment and amusement sites, and affected zones. Local media agencies have reported that residential complexes and housing societies may witness stringent lockdowns, especially in Lanzhou with a 4 million population.

Beijing has maintained a relentless zero-Covid approach with strict border closures and targeted lockdowns, even as other countries tentatively try to ease restrictions.