(Yicai Global) Feb. 25 -- Qingdao, a hotspot tourism city in northern China, will begin isolating visitors from overseas that it believes may be infected with COVID-19 as it looks to reduce the spread of the virus.

People who have lived in or visited areas with a high infection rate and have shown symptoms of fever or respiratory issues; have had close contact with confirmed COVID-19 patients; have shared transport with confirmed COVID-19 patients; or show the virus' symptoms during an on-site test will be subject to centralized isolation and observation, the local government said in a statement.

The government will arrange transport to take other passengers from the airport into the city. They will need to quarantine for 14 days at home or in a government-specified hotel depending on whether they reside in Qingdao.

Some 20,516 passengers entered Qingdao airport between Jan. 24 and Feb. 23.

Editor: James Boynton