Beijing – AFP
China announced tightening measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 by intensifying testing for the virus, officials announced Saturday, with the start of the Labor Day holiday, which was overshadowed by a high number of infections in the capital, Beijing.
The five-day vacation is one of the most frequent travel times. But people are more likely to stay home; Because of the worst return of the virus since the beginning of its spread.
In the face of the omicron mutant, Chinese officials have stuck to the zero-Covid strategy and repelled infection hotspots through mass testing and lockdown measures.
Despite the rising economic costs and popular discontent, Beijing announced that it would extend the closure to public places after the holiday.
From May 5, citizens will have to present a negative COVID-19 test result conducted over the past week to enter “all types of public places and ride public transportation,” according to a memo posted on the city authority’s WeChat page.
For activities such as sporting events and travel groups, participants will have to present a negative Covid test conducted within 48 hours, along with a “full vaccination” certificate according to the new rules.
China recorded more than 10,700 local cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, including asymptomatic cases, most of them in Shanghai, the economic center.
The major city to the east has been imposing closures for a month after becoming the epicenter of the virus outbreak.
On Saturday, it recorded more than 10,100 cases, half of what it recorded earlier this month.
In Beijing, 54 cases of infection were recorded, according to the National Health Commission.
Covid tests in the capital will be free from Tuesday, according to official media.