China: Beijing maintaining COVID-19 restrictions, tightening international flight requirements as of Jan. 27 /update 7

Event

Officials are maintaining restrictions in parts of Beijing as of Jan. 27 amid ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. Authorities continue to classify the Ronghui Community in Daxing District as a high-risk area. Daxing District residents cannot leave Beijing without special permission from the government and a negative nucleic acid COVID-19 test result obtained within 72 hours of departure. Authorities have also banned large gatherings throughout Daxing District.

The government continues to designate the Beishicao and Lianzhuang villages 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. The duration of COVID-19 restrictions is unclear, 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 has tightened regulations for international travelers as of Jan. 27. Officials have banned transit passengers; passengers on direct flights to the municipality must either be citizens of the country of departure or Chinese citizens. Additionally, passengers on direct flights from Hong Kong must present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test result obtained within the previous seven days. Authorities require inbound international passengers to quarantine for 14 days at government-designated locations, followed by an additional seven days of self-quarantine and seven days of health monitoring. The government also prohibits 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 high- and medium-risk areas 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.