China placed 1.7 million people under lockdown in central Anhui province, where authorities reported nearly 300 new cases Monday in the latest of a string of outbreaks testing Beijing's no-tolerance approach to Covid-19.

Two counties in the province -- Sixian and Lingbi -- announced lockdowns last week, with more than 1.7 million residents only permitted to leave their homes if they are getting tested.

Footage from state broadcaster CCTV shows empty streets in Sixian over the weekend and people lining up for their sixth round of mass testing in recent days.

IMAGES of of empty streets and mass Covid testing in Sixian county in China's Anhui province.