The 44th press conference on Guangdong's fight against COVID-19 was held in Guangzhou today.

(Photo: Cao Yaqin from Southcn.com)

At the press conference, Guangdong reported 5 new cases as of March 17th, 3 of whom travelled in from Thailand and the UK to Guangzhou, and the other 2 from the UK and the Netherlands to Shenzhen respectively. As of 12 pm today, 1 more imported case was reported in Zhaoqing, who travelled in from France.

Guangdong has issued guidelines, advocating overseas Chinese, and compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan to delay their plans of going back to Guangdong for tomb sweeping, since the tomb-sweeping festival is around the corner. Thousands upon thousands of overseas Chinese usually return to Guangdong to hold memorial ceremonies for ancestors, which clearly poses a great risk this year. They are suggested holding memorial ceremonies wherever they are currently residing.

The provincial government also suggested that foreign teachers, overseas students and foreign staff in overseas investment cooperative enterprises not to return during the tomb-sweeping festival.

(Photo by xkb.com.cn)

According to guidelines, Chinese travelers returning from other countries, and foreign nationals travelling in from countries and regions with a serious epidemic situation are required to endure a 14-day quarantine at home or in designated venues.

Flow chart: How to complete entry process at

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (released on March 17th)

Authors | Hannah, Monica

Editors | Olivia, Nan, Simon

Graphic | Mia