Medical staff cheer themselves up before going into an ICU ward for COVID-19 coronavirus patients at the Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province on March 16, 2020. (PHOTO / STR / AFP)

WUHAN - People coming to Wuhan from outside the Chinese mainland will, starting from Tuesday, be quarantined for 14 days at designated places at their own expense, as imported COVID-19 infections rise, local authorities said.

The Chinese mainland reported 20 new imported COVID-19 cases Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 143

The requirement came following a similar announcement made by Beijing and Shanghai over the weekend.

Wuhan's COVID-19 control headquarters also said patients returning from overseas will have to pay their own treatment fees if they are not covered by the country's basic medical insurance.

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However, medical assistance is available for those who are not covered by the scheme but have financial difficulties, according to the headquarters.

China has covered COVID-19 treatment in its basic medical insurance, which reimburses a considerable portion of the medical bill after it surpasses a threshold of personal payment.

The Chinese mainland reported 20 new imported COVID-19 cases Monday, bringing the total number of imported cases to 143, according to the National Health Commission.