Residents scan a QR code to confirm their negative nucleic acid results before entering a shopping mall in Shanghai on Monday. Photo: VCG

Tourist attractions including Shanghai Disney Resort will be temporarily closed starting from Tuesday amid the latest resurgence of COVID-19 in the city. On Monday, Shanghai reported 20 local confirmed cases and 158 asymptomatic carriers, including three COVID-19 cases and three asymptomatic carriers detected at the community level, according to Shanghai health authorities on Tuesday. 

The domestic epidemic is in the midst of an acute flare-up, with the number of positive cases in some regions spiking over recent days and weeks. Affected by the spillover from other regions outside Shanghai, the number of new daily cases in Shanghai has increased significantly, and the number of infected individuals detected across communities has increased correspondingly, according to local authorities. Shanghai on Tuesday listed 32 regions as high-risk areas.

Shanghai Disney Resort on Tuesday announced a temporary closure in line with pandemic prevention and control measures only four days after it resumed operations on November 25. The park will notify guests as soon as they have a confirmed date for reopening. Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and the two resort hotels will continue to operate normally, according to the resort.

The landmark tourist attraction Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower also announced on Monday that it will be closed to the public until further notice starting from Tuesday.

As of 8 am on Tuesday, a total of 436 epidemic-related individuals have been tested negative. A total of 684,000 residents have been screened, returning negative nucleic acid testing results; 192 environmental samples also tested negative, officials confirmed.

Some major attractions have been allowed to resume operating. Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, after being temporarily shut since November 25. Shanghai Wild Animal Park has resumed normal operations.

Shanghai has tightened up the nucleic acid testing requirements for restaurants and other commercial venues. Residents are required to present a 48-hour negative nucleic acid testing result before entering these locations.

The city also has extended its free nucleic acid testing services until the end of 2022 for the convenience of residents.

Those who have arrived or returned to Shanghai for less than five days are prohibited from entering public places such as restaurants, shopping centers, supermarkets, food markets, beauty salons, entertainment halls and other public venues. Officials advised the public to not leave the city unless for essential travel as a means to reduce the spread of COVID-19.