Even as the rest of the world has started easing restrictions in view of declining cases of infections and deaths, China has come to a grinding halt, thanks to a fresh outbreak of Covid. While the number of cases was relatively low, the country reported a spike in new cases for the fifth consecutive day.

China has maintained a relentless policy with strict border closures and targeted lockdowns, as and when cases have been increasing. In line with the same, Beijing has reportedly announced the cancellation of hundreds of flight operations and asked schools and institutions to shut down.

The fresh outbreak reportedly was identified when a married couple — both senior citizens — who were on a cross-provincial tour tested positive on Sunday. They had reportedly travelled in the provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu, and the region of Inner Mongolia. Almost half of the 26 local cases found on Monday and Tuesday were of close contact with an elderly couple. However, it is unclear whether the couple were the source of the outbreak, or where they had contracted the virus. Local governments scrambled to close institutions as the travel history of the couple was disclosed and has prompted alarmed authorities to double down and track potential carriers. China has a zero-tolerance policy.

However, the authorities have reportedly not disclosed how the remaining half of those 26 cases tested positive, indicating that there might be multiple sources of the infection across the country. As of Friday evening, the Chinese mainland has reported 43 new cases of confirmed infections, according to the National Health Commission (NHC). Virus gene sequencing results have attributed the fresh outbreak to be caused by the Delta variant. The country has now ramped up its mass testing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

Nearly 60% of flights to Xi’an and Lanzhou — two of China’s major airports — have been temporarily suspended. Further, an order has been issued in the Inner Mongolia region to cease passenger flights to and from the province and mandated residents to remain indoors and adhere to COVID-norms.

State-affiliated national newspaper Global Times has reported that the lockdown would adversely impact coal imports and disrupt the supply chain. As the country stares at a harsh winter ahead, a shortage of coal supply could be disastrous.

The spike couldn’t have come at a worse time for China. Beijing is gearing up for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics in February. The Xinping-led government was striving towards seeking zero infections and has been undertaking stringent efforts against the virus ahead of the Games.

However, despite the outbreak, the Olympic flame was lit in Beijing on Wednesday after the ceremonial torch arrived from Athens. The Winter Games will be held from February 4 to February 20, with Beijing becoming the first city to host both, the summer and winter Olympics. While it was already announced that the Games amidst the pandemic would mean that spectators from abroad will be restricted, it remains to be seen how the country is going to respond to the fresh outbreak within the borders.