Strengthened prevention and control measures against the COVID-19 pandemic were prolonged in most parts of Haizhu district in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, which was hard hit by the latest spate of the pandemic, local authorities announced.

According to a notice issued by the COVID-19 control and prevention headquarters of Haizhu district early Monday, certain progress has been achieved in the past three days since prevention and control measures against the COVID-19 were strengthened on Friday.

However, based on the latest monitoring results, the risk of infection has not been completely eliminated, with the pandemic situation in the district remaining uncertain, challenging and complex, the notice said.

Residents living in the control-management areas where the strengthened measures being implemented are required to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. Public transportation services including buses, metro, taxis and online car-hailing have been suspended and highway entrances to the areas have been temporarily closed.

Outside the areas, residents are required to present negative results of nucleic acid tests within 24 hours before leaving the district, according to the notice.

Public transportation services and businesses will resume outside the district's controlled areas, with classes for students of secondary and primary schools and kindergartens remaining suspended, the notice said.

The official tally showed the city had reported 189 new locally transmitted confirmed cases and 3,876 asymptomatic carriers on Sunday.