<p>The southern Chinese beach holiday city of Sanya imposed a lockdown on Saturday and shut its public transport system to try to stop a Covid-19 outbreak during its peak tourist season.</p>.<p>Authorities announced the curbs would start at 6 am, saying the Covid situation was "very severe" and people's movements were being restricted. It did not say when the measures might be lifted.</p>.<p>"We urge the general public and tourists to understand and give their support," authorities said in a statement on the city government's WeChat account.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/china-s-economic-growth-slows-as-covid-19-policy-takes-toll-1126820.html" target="_blank">China’s economic growth slows as Covid-19 policy takes toll</a></strong></p>.<p>The city on Hainan island reported 263 Covid cases for Friday. Authorities said they had detected the Omicron subvariant BA.5.1.3.</p>.<p>The lockdown comes in the high tourist season for the city, which is also known for its duty-free shopping and is home to several high-end hotels run by international companies including IHG and Marriott International.</p>.<p>The deputy mayor, He Shigang, told state broadcaster <em>CCTV </em>there were about 80,000 tourists in the city. People must have two negative PCR tests taken within 48 hours to leave the Sanya.</p>.<p>The city started imposing lockdown measures in some places on Thursday. More venues, including its duty-free malls which are popular with Chinese shoppers unable to travel abroad, were shut on Friday.</p>
<p>The southern Chinese beach holiday city of Sanya imposed a lockdown on Saturday and shut its public transport system to try to stop a Covid-19 outbreak during its peak tourist season.</p>.<p>Authorities announced the curbs would start at 6 am, saying the Covid situation was "very severe" and people's movements were being restricted. It did not say when the measures might be lifted.</p>.<p>"We urge the general public and tourists to understand and give their support," authorities said in a statement on the city government's WeChat account.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/china-s-economic-growth-slows-as-covid-19-policy-takes-toll-1126820.html" target="_blank">China’s economic growth slows as Covid-19 policy takes toll</a></strong></p>.<p>The city on Hainan island reported 263 Covid cases for Friday. Authorities said they had detected the Omicron subvariant BA.5.1.3.</p>.<p>The lockdown comes in the high tourist season for the city, which is also known for its duty-free shopping and is home to several high-end hotels run by international companies including IHG and Marriott International.</p>.<p>The deputy mayor, He Shigang, told state broadcaster <em>CCTV </em>there were about 80,000 tourists in the city. People must have two negative PCR tests taken within 48 hours to leave the Sanya.</p>.<p>The city started imposing lockdown measures in some places on Thursday. More venues, including its duty-free malls which are popular with Chinese shoppers unable to travel abroad, were shut on Friday.</p>