The US State Department has ordered diplomatic workers to vacate a consulate in China, citing a rise in coronavirus infections and new draconian containment measures. All American citizens have also been urged against traveling to the country.
An advisory issued on Monday called on all non-emergency workers to leave the US consulate in Shanghai “due to a surge in Covid-19 cases” as well as “the impact of restrictions” imposed by Chinese authorities in response.
Pointing to the government’s “zero-tolerance approach” toward the virus, which it said “severely impacts travel and access to public services,” the State Department went on to ask Americans to “reconsider” travel to the country, even warning that the restrictions could mean “the risk of parents and children being separated.”