Beijing imposes new transit restrictions in bid to contain COVID – By Al Jazeera & News Agencies (Al Jazeera) / May 4, 2022
As Omicron spreads, officials in China’s capital city are trying to avoid the kind of mass lockdown seen in Shanghai.
Authorities in China’s capital Beijing have shuttered the entrances to more than 40 subway stations and 158 bus routes, as the government tries to rein in the spread of the highly-contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The transit restrictions imposed on Wednesday affect districts on the eastern side of Beijing at the epicenter of its latest outbreak.
Starting from Thursday, a negative nucleic test issued within seven days will also be required to ride on public transport or enter public venues, state media also said, extending curbs that began during China’s week-long holiday centered around May 1.
Many cinemas, malls and gyms across the city have already closed their doors since late April while indoor dining is also banned. Schools also remain closed after the holiday ended, while a negative test result is required to enter places such as supermarkets.
