China earthquake: death toll climbs to 74 as Sichuan authorities restrict entry to disaster zone
- 35 people are still missing as health authorities report new Covid-19 infections
- Heavy rainfall expected in the region after severe damage from landslides
China’s Sichuan province banned unauthorised people entry to earthquake zones and imposed daily testing as it struggled to battle Covid-19 while rescue work continued for the third day.
Public health authorities in the southwestern Chinese province also reported 157 new Covid-19 infections as of the end of Tuesday, compared with 138 the day before.
The disaster has prompted the authorities to place Luding county and the nearby tourist hotspot of Hailuogou under temporary restrictions, according to a directive by the Ganzi prefecture emergency command centre for Covid-19. No unauthorised entry is allowed for people and vehicles, including members of the public volunteering for rescue efforts.
Entry permits issued to rescue personnel must be accompanied by a negative PCR test result within 24 hours, a green health code, and no travel history in cities with Covid-19 cases, according to the notice. Rescuers must be tested for Covid-19 every 24 hours.
Tourist and public recreation facilities, schools and religious venues are closed.