Ruili waives accommodation fees for people under quarantine

Ruili, a small city in Yunnan province experiencing sporadic COVID-19 infections, has waived accommodation fees of 2.1 million yuan ($328,500) for people who are being quarantined in designated areas before leaving the city, Mayor Shang Labian said on Nov 16.

The city, which borders Myanmar on three sides, has a high risk of imported infections. In order to minimize the risk of COVID-19 spreading to other regions, residents must undergo centralized isolation from seven to 21 days before leaving the city. They must also apply to get permission to leave town.

Shang said during a briefing that the city has streamlined procedures for leaving, including reducing applicants' wait time by designating staff to handle applications around the clock.

From Nov 8 to Monday, the city reported 39 locally transmitted cases and 30 imported cases, according to local authorities.

"As of now, no local cases have spread from Ruili to other areas," Shang said.

To address difficulties faced by border residents and people whose livelihoods are affected by virus control regulations, the mayor said the city has also issued a variety of subsidies totaling 68 million yuan.

"We are also processing funds allocated to help 58,300 poor households," he said.

Shang added that the city will roll out COVID-19 booster shots and administer vaccines for children aged 3 to 11 years old in an effort to establish herd immunity.