Mask Reappearance at Beijing Press Conference Venue... "COVID-19 Situation Serious" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] "Masks have reappeared at the Beijing city press conference venue."

At the Beijing COVID-19 prevention work press briefing held at 11 a.m. local time on the 17th, reporters' attention was collectively drawn to the reappearance of masks. Xu Hejian, spokesperson for the Beijing municipal government, who appeared at the briefing, was wearing a sky-blue mask. Li Yi, deputy secretary of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and spokesperson who appeared together, was also wearing the same mask.

This is the first time since April 30 that spokespersons at the Beijing city press briefing have worn masks. Beijing has held 122 COVID-19 prevention press briefings since the first one on January 24, when the COVID-19 outbreak was severe nationwide. Masks appeared at the briefing venue starting February 3. Until the 97th briefing on April 30, all spokespersons attended wearing masks, but as the COVID-19 situation calmed down, masks were not worn from May onward.

Chinese media view the reappearance of masks itself as an indication of the serious COVID-19 spread situation in Beijing. Most Chinese media outlets, including Beijing Daily, Tencent News, Sina, and Global Times, highlighted the "reappearance of masks" as a notable point in their coverage of the press briefing.

Spokesperson Xu Hejian admitted at the briefing that "the COVID-19 situation in Beijing is serious." He said, "Epidemic prevention and control is the most important and urgent task at hand. We must ensure the health and life safety of the people."

Xu stated that Beijing is conducting comprehensive nucleic acid testing and quarantine observation for all individuals related to the Xinfadi Market, the largest agricultural and aquatic products wholesale market with severe cluster infections. He also mentioned that comprehensive epidemic prevention inspections, disinfection, and nucleic acid testing are being carried out at all agricultural and aquatic product markets, restaurants, and dining establishments.

On the same day, the National Health Commission of China announced that as of midnight, 31 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in Beijing. Among the new confirmed cases in Beijing, the highest number is in Fengtai District (19 cases), where Xinfadi Market is located, followed by Daxing District (5 cases), Dongcheng District (3 cases), Haidian District (3 cases), and Xicheng District (1 case).

With 31 new confirmed cases added in one day, the total number of confirmed cases in Beijing over five days since the first patient appeared on the 11th has reached 137. In addition to the 137 confirmed patients currently receiving hospital treatment, there are also 12 asymptomatic infected individuals under medical observation. In China, asymptomatic infected individuals are not included in the classification of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Beijing raised its response level from Level 3 to Level 2 the day before to block the spread of COVID-19. All elementary, middle, and high school students have stopped attending school and switched back to online classes. Kindergartens and private academies have been ordered to close. People leaving Beijing must submit a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 7 days of their departure date. The number of visitors allowed in indoor places such as libraries, museums, and art galleries, as well as parks, is limited to 30% of capacity. Temperature checks are conducted at all public places.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.