Stricter control and prevention measures have been introduced to fight COVID-19 in Yantai, East China's Shandong province, as the recent COVID-19 outbreak in China is rapidly expanding, according to news released by the local government's health authority on March 16.

Those from medium- or high-risk areas are asked to suspend their trips to Yantai. People with travel history in medium- or high-risk areas or cities with positive cases within the last 14 days shall take a nucleic acid test as soon as they arrive in Yantai, and they should report their travel history to local communities, work places and accommodation management. They should also strictly follow COVID-19 prevention and control requirements, such as taking nucleic acid tests, monitoring health conditions at home, and receiving medical observation at the designated medical facilities.

The local health department renewed calls for residents to avoid outbound travels, and urged citizens not to go to medium and high-risk areas for COVID-19 or leave the provinces where they live unless it is necessary. Wearing masks in public places, practicing social distance and washing hands are protective measures that have been proven to be very effective.

Citizens should monitor the health conditions of their family members at home, especially the elderly and young children. If symptoms such as a fever, fatigue, cough, and reduced sense of taste and smell occur, people should go to the nearby fever clinics immediately, and avoid taking public transportation.

Local residents are asked to carefully handle mail and packages, and they shall wear a mask and disposable gloves when receiving packages, and open all packages outside and dispose of the boxes immediately. If necessary, residents shall disinfect the inner and outer packaging with chlorine-containing disinfectants or 75 percent alcohol, and be sure to wash hands after handling packages.