Southwest China's Chongqing municipality announced it will tighten up screening and monitoring -- to prevent novel coronavirus infections from imported cases -- with the implementation of new quarantine measures requiring all people arriving in the city from overseas to be tested for body temperatures and COVID-19 nucleic acid from March 17.

Those with no abnormal test results, who have come from countries hit hard by the virus or have lived there in the past 14 days will be subject to centralized medical observation.

This will last 14 days and the accommodation and transport expenses incurred during the centralized medical observation shall be borne by themselves.

Those with no abnormal test results who have not come from hard-hit countries, shall be required to isolate themselves at home for 14 days and included in their community's health management system.

Those who do not have access to home-based medical observation shall be subject to centralized medical observation.

People with abnormal temperature and test results will immediately be sent to designated hospitals for treatment.

Since March 17, the cost of accommodation and transport incurred during the period of centralized medical observation for overseas people returning to Chongqing shall be borne by themselves.

For testing and medical expenses, those who participate in basic medical insurance or purchase commercial insurance shall be compensated according to relevant regulations. Those who do not participate in basic medical insurance shall meet costs themselves, while those with special difficulties shall be aided according to relevant regulations.

Those returning to Chongqing from abroad must truthfully report their health status and travel routes.

If they refuse to cooperate or intentionally conceal or falsely report information, causing the spread of the epidemic or serious danger of transmission, they shall be investigated for criminal legal responsibility in accordance with the relevant criminal laws and regulations and bear corresponding civil compensation responsibilities in accordance with the law.