Photo/Illutration An almost empty street in central Beijing during what normally would be a peak morning commuting period. Photo was taken Feb. 10. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

Cities in China are singling out Japanese and South Korean travelers returning to China on business and for other reasons to place themselves in 14-day quarantine on arrival to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

Authorities stated that the edict applies to people returning from countries also "hard hit by the new coronavirus." But it applies particularly to those from Japan and South Korea as the two countries have extensive business interests in cities such as Beijing and Dalian in Liaoning province.

Local authorities imposed the measure as China has begun recording a slowdown in the number of new infections.

Authorities in Beijing announced Feb. 26 that anybody returning from a country with a large number of confirmed coronavirus cases must go into two-week quarantine to prevent the risk of further infections.

Officials said returning travelers will be asked to stay at home or in accommodation provided by the authorities during the period.

In areas with many Japanese expatriates, a notice was issued to inform residents that they will face enforced quarantine at home or elsewhere after returning from Japan and South Korea.

Dalian, where more than 1,500 Japanese companies operate, also announced quarantine measures Feb. 26 targeting those who enter the city from abroad.

The city said such travelers will be transported from airports or other points of arrival to their homes or hotels. Authorities also requested those who live or work in the city to place themselves in 14-day quarantine at their homes or elsewhere.

As of Feb. 26, Liaoning province had no new cases of infection for nine straight days.

Weihai in Shandong province decided on Feb. 25 that all those who enter the city from Japan and South Korea will go into 14-day quarantine at hotels provided by the authorities. Many South Korean companies operate in the city.

Qingdao in the same province adopted similar quarantine measures from Feb. 24.

Anybody with a fever will undergo forced quarantine. Other people arriving from abroad will be transported to their homes or hotels for a 14-day quarantine period.

Many ethnic Koreans with relatives in South Korea live in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture of Jilin province. The international airport there began taking measures targeting travelers from South Korea from the evening of Feb. 23.

Medical personnel are on standby as passenger aircraft arrive. Passengers are required to use designated routes through the airport.

Authorities said five people who contracted the virus had already been discharged from hospital. The prefecture has also resumed public transportation services.

Zhao Lijian, vice head of the news bureau of China’s Foreign Ministry, was asked at a Feb. 26 news conference to comment on the measures to quarantine those who enter China from Japan and South Korea.

“We are working with Japan and South Korea to reduce the number of unnecessary visits (to China) by strengthening epidemic prevention measures at our borders,” he said.