The Chinese city of Tianjin has started a new round of Covid-19 testing among its 14 million residents to block the spread of Omicron, while some analysts said curbs to be imposed because of the variant could dent China's economic growth.

Tianjin reported 33 domestically transmitted coronavirus infections with confirmed symptoms for Tuesday, up from 10 a day earlier, national data showed, according to a Reuters report.

The city ordered a half-day off for employees at companies and other institutions and required them to remain at home to comply with the city's second round of mass testing, the local government said in a statement.