Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, found three cases of positive nucleic acid test results for the COVID-19 pandemic as of 3 am on Feb 16. 

All of the confirmed cases have been isolated and treated in designated hospitals, and all close contacts are in centralized isolation and medical observation.

To effectively block the transmission channels of the virus, Hohhot issued an announcement on Feb 16 banning group activities such as large-scale lantern fairs, trade fairs, banquets, and celebrations.

All pharmacies are required to suspend the sale of antipyretic, antitussive, antiviral, and antibiotic medicines, and all medical institutions without fever clinics are not allowed to treat fever.

Welfare institutions, senior care service institutions, public security departments, and judicial and administrative prisons will implement fully closed management. 

Public venues are required to strengthen regulations to prevent gatherings and implement measures such as temperature measurement, health and travel code checking, mask wearing, and regular environmental disinfection. 

Hohhot called on the public to closely monitor the epidemic situation and cooperate with epidemic prevention and control measures. People are discouraged from leaving Hohhot unless necessary. People must present negative nucleic acid test results from within 48 hours when leaving the city. 

People with COVID-19 symptoms are advised to seek medical treatment as soon as possible, avoid taking public transportation, take strict personal protection measures, and take the initiative to report their personal travel and contact history.