A staff member checks the information of a passenger entering China at the Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, east China, March 19, 2020. (Xinhua/Ding Ting)

Shanghai on Wednesday announced eight COVID-19 prevention measures targeting all those who plan to enter the city, effective immediately, and they will continue until March 31, to curb the possible spread of the coronavirus with the Spring Festival, the most important traditional Chinese festival for family gathering, one month away.

Residents are encouraged to not leave the city without essential reasons and spend the holiday within the city to avoid inter-province movement. People from high- and medium-risk areas are advised to not travel to or back to Shanghai until the local risk response level is adjusted to low level.

People entering the city from those areas should report to local community or village committees or hotels within 12 hours upon their arrival and subject themselves to administration policies in accordance with the risk response levels of their original location.  

Those from high-risk regions or regions that local governments have declared in an emergency and lockdown state will be quarantined in designated locations for 14 days, and undergo two nucleic acid tests. Meanwhile, for those from medium-risk regions, a 14-day community health observation and two nucleic acid tests are required. 

Airports, long-distance bus stations, ports and other transport hubs will strengthen their temperature screenings and health code checkups.

The measures came into effect immediately on Wednesday and will last until March 31. Adjustments will be applied based on the epidemic situation domestically and globally.