COVID-19 Spread Continues in Beijing, China... Strengthening Quarantine Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] As the spread of COVID-19 continues in Beijing, China, health authorities have strengthened the quarantine measures in the area.

According to the Chinese National Health Commission on the 21st, the number of infections in Beijing the previous day was 70 (including 12 asymptomatic cases), maintaining a range of 30 to 70 cases since the 25th of last month.

Pangshan District, where a cluster infection occurred, has implemented lockdown management on the campuses of five universities, including the Beijing Institute of Technology Pangshan Campus. Meanwhile, in Fengtai District, where a cluster infection occurred at a wholesale market, city buses and subways have been suspended except for Beijing South Railway Station and Beijing West Railway Station, and taxis are prohibited from picking up or dropping off passengers within Fengtai District.

Despite strong quarantine policies, as cluster infections continue in Beijing, the city has strengthened quarantine standards for lockdown and control management zones.

The city has banned all residents in lockdown management zones where infected or close contact cases have been identified from going outside. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are also conducted by testers visiting residents directly.

If no infections occur for three consecutive days, residents may go outside to receive PCR testing.

Control management zones are subject to self-quarantine in principle, with only one household member allowed to go out for a limited time wearing an N95 mask to receive deliveries or dispose of trash.

Meanwhile, the total number of new infections in Shanghai the previous day was 868 (including 784 asymptomatic cases). Shanghai broke its five-day streak of "social zero COVID" on the 19th but regained social zero COVID status the next day. "Social zero COVID" is a Chinese quarantine term referring to no infections occurring in residential areas excluding quarantine and control zones.

Shanghai, which has announced the lifting of the city lockdown on the 1st of next month, plans to resume subway and city bus operations on the 22nd.

Across China, 1,132 new infections (including 951 asymptomatic cases) were reported the previous day.

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