Some local governments in China are planning to restrict people who have not been immunized against Covid-19 from entering public venues, as health officials accelerate the country's vaccine campaign.
China Vaccine Industry Association president Feng Duojia told the Global Times that while the government is fast-tracking the phase of immunization, China should also ensure its quality.
Starting July 27, residents in Jinggangshan, Jiangxi Province, will have to show proof of inoculation before they are allowed to access medical institutions, schools, fitness facilities, moviehouses, museums and other "key locations," local officials said.
Similar rules have also been implemented in several cities in Zhejiang and Shandong Provinces, where the unvaccinated will be barred from most public buildings later this month.
Some of the regions attributed their new protocols to "national, provincial and municipal arrangements," without explaining clearly whether they received an order from the central government, The Wall Street Journal said.
More than 630 million people in China had been given at least one shot by the end of last month, which means China's immunization program has reached almost half of the population, Quartz reported, citing the country's national health authority.
Though regulations vary region to region, unvaccinated people over 18 years old will in most cases also be restricted from entertainment venues, shopping malls, libraries and internet cafes.
Venues will check entrants' "health code," which ensures a clean bill of health, as well as their immunization record before they're allowed entry.
In Qingtian, local authorities have set July 21 as the deadline for people 18 and above to receive at least one shot. Full immunization is expected for all adults eligible to receive the shots after one month.
China is dealing with sporadic outbreaks of the virus and health officials have been offering homegrown treatments free of charge since December.
