By Tuesday, Dalian had gone 111 days without a reported COVID-19 case.

On Thursday, the city suspended on-site recruitment activities and shut down various cultural, entertainment and sports venues, including cinemas, museums, gymnasiums and swimming pools, with reopening times to be determined.

Cinemas around the country had just been allowed to reopen on Monday. Only a small part of Dalian's cinemas had started operations before Wednesday.

As one of the two host cities for the long-delayed 2020 Chinese Super League, which is set to kick off on Saturday, Dalian has taken stricter anti-epidemic measures.

Luo said all members of the eight teams had tested negative and checked into the designated hotel at the "blue zone" sealed off for the games, and all service personnel also tested negative.

By last Friday, the competition venue, training venue and hotel in the zone had been sealed off.

"We will step up communication and coordination with the Chinese Football Association and strengthen scientific research and judgment in light of the development of the epidemic," Luo said.