THE WHAT? China’s Hainan island province has put further areas on lockdown this week following a new outbreak of COVID-19, according to a report by Reuters.

THE DETAILS The area has recorded 1500 domestically transmitted infections this month, which is its biggest outbreak since the virus was reported in 2019. 

Hainan’s curbs mirror China’s ‘dynamic COVID-zero’ policy that aims to stamp out cases immediately, a strategy that is said to cause travel uncertainty. 

THE WHY? The uptick in cases is said to come as tourism starts to pick up in China, with the country slightly loosening domestic travel curbs.

The new curbs are suggested to further dampen confidence in tourism and hospitality. Shares in China Tourism Group Duty Free fell following the lockdowns, with Sanya beginning to close duty-free malls last week.