Beijing will strengthen measures to fight against Covid-19 by making new tests compulsory, authorities in the Chinese capital announced on Saturday. The move comes on the first day of a long weekend on Labor Day. Chinese people usually take the opportunity to travel across the country but this year the worst outbreak of cases since early 2020 is forcing many to stay at home.
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Faced with the highly contagious Omicron variant, the Chinese authorities have reinforced their zero Covid policy, carrying out massive screenings and confinements as soon as the first cases appear. These strict measures have led to a slowdown in the country’s economy and growing frustration among the people.
Beijing announced on Saturday that after these five public holidays, access to public spaces will be further limited. From May 5, a negative Covid test taken within the past week will be mandatory to enter “many public places and to take public transport”, according to an announcement made on the capital’s WeChat account.
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For activities such as sporting events and group travel, participants will also need to present a negative Covid test taken within the last 48 hours, along with proof that they have been fully vaccinated.
China has recorded more than 10,700 new positive cases across the country, almost all of them in Shanghai, the economic capital. The metropolis in the east of the country, confined for almost a month, reported more than 10,100 cases on Saturday in the last 24 hours, or almost half of the daily cases that were recorded at the beginning of April. In Beijing, the number of cases has risen to 54, according to the National Health Commission.
Covid tests will be free for residents starting Tuesday, state media said.