China: Officials in Beijing require individuals to hold negative COVID-19 test result to enter public places from May 12 /update 7

Event

Beijing officials will require individuals to hold a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 48 hours to enter public places, including shopping malls, supermarkets, and restaurants, from May 12. Authorities continue to carry out mass testing in districts across the municipality. Chaoyang, Dongcheng, Fengtai, Haidian, Shijingshan, and Xicheng districts will provide testing services on odd-numbered days, while all other districts will offer testing services on even-numbered days. Individuals in Beijing's Chaoyang, Fangshan, and Shunyi Districts must adopt work-from-home arrangements; employees that need to work on-site may use personal means of travel instead of public transport. A ban on dine-in services at restaurants remains in place, while indoor sports halls and cultural and entertainment venues must close. Public parks can operate at up to 50-percent capacity.

Public transport disruptions are ongoing in Beijing, particularly in Chaoyang, Fangshan, Haidian, and Tongzhou districts. Authorities have closed at least 70 metro stations on subway lines 1, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, and 17 and implemented detours or suspensions of around 158 bus lines in medium- and high-risk areas. Officials could halt more public transport services if new COVID-19 cases emerge in other parts of Beijing. Increased health screenings are likely at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), and other passenger transport hubs throughout Beijing. Officials could introduce a departure ban or long-distance travel controls in Beijing at short notice.

The government has designated 21 communities as high-risk and 34 other locations as medium-risk in Chaoyang, Fangshan, and Tongzhou districts. Essential businesses such as groceries and pharmacies may open with operating and capacity limits. Gatherings are banned. Officials will increase security and restrict transport to and from affected areas. Authorities typically maintain measures until two weeks after the latest date of newly confirmed community cases and conduct several rounds of COVID-19 testing before easing restrictions. Officials have also designated dozens of locations in Chaoyang, Changping, Daxing, Dongcheng, Fangshan, Fengtai, Haidian, Shunyi, Tongzhou, and Yanqing districts as "closed," requiring residents to stay at home.

Beijing maintains entry requirements from other parts of China. Officials will likely continue to suspend flights and ticket sales for travel from cities regarded as high- or medium-risk areas. People entering or leaving Beijing must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours before departure and have a "green" code on the city's health tracking app. Travelers must also undergo a COVID-19 nucleic test within 72 hours of arrival in Beijing. Entrants to the capital cannot go to restaurants, gatherings, and crowded locations for seven days. Individuals from medium- and high-risk areas and sites under COVID-19 isolation measures cannot leave Beijing. Authorities have also reduced the quarantine period for overseas travelers from 14 to 10 days. Individuals must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within seven days to enter airport terminals. Officials have also banned interprovincial group tourism with Beijing.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain polite and nonconfrontational if questioned by security personnel. Confirm travel reservations to, from, and in Beijing.

Resources

Beijing Area Designation (Mandarin Chinese)
Beijing Subway Station Closure (Mandarin Chinese)