Land border between China and Russia is closing

Beijing, Apr 7 (AP) China and Russia are closing their land border and river port near Vladivostok following the discovery of 59 confirmed cases of the new coronavirus among Chinese citizens returning home via the crossing.

Beginning Tuesday, all Chinese citizens who arrive in the border region aboard Russian domestic flights will be forced to undergo a 14-day quarantine, according to a notice posted on the website of the Chinese consulate in Vladivostok.

Only those holding special passes will then be permitted to travel on the Russian side of the border area, the notice said. It wasn't clear whether pass holders would be able to cross into China.In addition, all guesthouses, nursing homes, on the Russian side of the border area will also be closed to outsiders through June 1, the notice said.

"Here, the consulate general strongly recommends and reminds relevant Chinese citizens to fully take into consideration the above situation" and not seek to return to China through the border crossing, the notice said. (AP) PMSPMS