Yuci district in the city of Jinzhong, North China's Shanxi Province, reported two asymptomatic coronavirus cases, said the local authority at a press conference held at 10:30 pm on Monday, confirming that the two cases are related to infections in Hebei Province, where more than 500 people have tested positive for the virus.

Yangquan, also in Shanxi, announced it will suspend bus service to Jinzhong from Tuesday, according to an emergency notification by the Yangquan Long-Distance Bus Transit Station on Monday night. 

Yuci district has asked primary school students to start their winter holiday on Tuesday, and junior and senior high school students (Grade one and two) will begin their break on Wednesday.

Eighteen close contacts of those infected in Yuci have been quarantined and people living and working in their community, which is under lockdown, will be tested for the virus, said the authority. 

Residents homes and local establishments will be thoroughly disinfected, official said.