China: Beijing tightening domestic travel coronavirus disease-related restrictions through at least March 15; localized controls continue /update 8

Event

Officials have tightened inbound domestic travel restrictions for Beijing while maintaining some localized controls amid ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) activity. From Jan. 28 to March 15, individuals with recent travel history in any designated medium- and high-risk locations within mainland China will be barred from entering Beijing. Individuals traveling from low-risk areas of mainland China must show negative nucleic acid COVID-19 test results taken within the previous seven days before arrival in Beijing. Officials require inbound travelers to undergo additional COVID-19 tests on the seventh and fourteenth days after arrival in Beijing.

Localized movement and gathering controls continue in parts of Beijing. 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 also imposed tightened regulations for international travelers. 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.