China: Beijing imposes travel ban and other controls on Daxing Distict from Jan. 20; other coronavirus disease-related restrictions continue /update 6

Event

Officials have imposed a travel ban and gathering controls for all residents of Beijing's Daxing District effective from Jan. 20 in response to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. Officials say a variant of COVID-19 with increased transmissibility, originally detected in the UK, is responsible for at least two community cases in Daxing. Residents of Daxing District are not allowed to leave Beijing unless they receive special permission from authorities and present negative nucleic acid COVID-19 test results obtained within the previous 72 hours. Authorities have banned large gatherings throughout Daxing District and ordered schools to suspend in-person classes. Authorities may expand travel and gathering restrictions to additional areas of Beijing in the coming days.

As of Jan. 20, authorities are classifying the Ronghui Community in Daxing District as a high-risk area. Officials define the Xizhaoge, Beishicao, and Zhaoquanying neighborhoods in Shunyi District as medium-risk areas. Officials require residents in medium-risk locations to quarantine until they receive a negative result from a nucleic acid COVID-19 test. Authorities are also restricting businesses that cater to large groups in Shunyi District. It is unclear how long COVID-19 restrictions will continue, but measures could continue until an area does not report a new COVID-19 case for two weeks.

Additional security and emergency response personnel have likely deployed in and around the impacted districts to conduct health screenings. Authorities will conduct temperature scans and ensure people wear protective face coverings on public transport throughout Beijing. The government will likely continue to conduct mass testing as a precaution.

Authorities in many provinces and cities require people traveling from affected parts of Beijing to undergo increased health screenings. Provincial and municipal governments could advise residents to avoid all nonessential travel to Beijing.

Beijing continues to require inbound international passengers to quarantine or self-quarantine for seven days in addition to the initial 14-day period if a passenger tests positive for COVID-19 or officials discover COVID-19 on items on their flight. If authorities do not detect COVID-19, health staff will carry out enhanced health monitoring for arrivals for seven days following quarantine. The government will also prohibit individuals that enter China through other ports of entry from traveling to the capital until they have been in the country for 21 days.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain polite and nonconfrontational if questioned by security personnel. Confirm travel reservations in Beijing. Consider deferring nonessential travel to the area as a precaution until localized restrictions are lifted.

Exercise basic health precautions, especially frequent handwashing with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable. Practice good coughing/sneezing etiquette (i.e., covering coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue, maintaining distance from others, and washing hands). There is no evidence that the influenza vaccine, antibiotics, or antiviral medications will prevent this disease, highlighting the importance of diligent basic health precautions.