Tourists stranded in China resort due to COVID-19 outbreak

• Nearly 80,000 tourists have been stranded in a seaside town on an island south of China.
• Chinese authorities imposed a lockdown on Saturday morning, declaring the resort a hot spot for COVID-19.
• China is sticking to its “Zero Covid” strategy, which includes sudden lockdowns and mass testing.

About 80,000 tourists are reportedly stranded in a beach town on an island south of China after authorities there imposed a lockdown, labeling it a hot spot for COVID-19.

Chinese authorities imposed restrictions on Saturday morning, canceling flights and banning all ticket sales in Sanya, a resort city located on Hainan Island — about 320 miles southwest of Hong Kong — to limit the spread of COVID-19, according to the The Associated Press.

According to the AP, there were 229 confirmed cases on Friday and an additional 129 on Saturday.

The outlet also reported that hotels are offering guests a 50% discount during the lockdown period.

China insists onzero covid strategywhich includes sudden lockdowns and mass testing, which has recently been criticized for ineffectiveness.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, said China’s “Zero Covid” strategy was “not sustainable”.