Beijing – A fresh COVID surge in Beijing prompted authorities to perform millions of COVID-19 tests and execute upgraded measures just two weeks before the Winter Olympics. On Monday, China lifted a month-long coronavirus lockdown from the Xi’an northern city and its more than 31 million residents.
Despite the decreasing numbers of COVID cases, the pandemic controls are getting stronger following the Olympics compelling all the participants to be tested before and after their arrival at
Beijing for the Olympics.
In the Chinese Capital, the Fengtai residents went through testing after discovering more than three dozen positive cases in the capital. The testing has been targeted and has been done in the six other districts in the residential communities in Beijing.
The Chinese government has directed the people of Beijing with the highest risk of infections to abstain from leaving the city after 25 cases in Fengtai and 14 in other areas. After the mandatory COVID-19 testing, residents lined up in freezing weather on Sunday at the snow-covered sidewalks for testing.
The state-owned Global Times newspaper reported that the Beijing Municipal Health Commission stated that anyone who has bought cough, fever, or flu medicine from anywhere in the city is required to take the COVID-19 test in the next 72 hours.
Furthermore, the Beijing Olympics are going to be held under strict measures following the isolation of athletes, reporters, and staff officials. Also, athletes are advised to get vaccinated and undergo quarantine once they arrive in China.
The announcement of the lifting lockdown in Xi’an city reinstated the commercial flights over the weekend. The city has been known for the strict COVID strategies with mandatory lockdowns, mass testing, and travel restrictions in place.
Xi’an, having an area of about 1000 kilometers southwest of Beijing, will be hosting the Beijing Olympics from Feb 4, 2022. Travel to Xi’an was suspended on Dec 22 last year after the surge of the Delta variant of Coronavirus.
On Monday, China reported 18 new cases of the local infectious disease where 6 were in Beijing. The country has 2754 cases in total for infections and about 105,660 COVID cases with 4636 deaths.
