Beijing cancels 1,200 flights as COVID-19 cases increase

The city’s municipal authorities have also ordered schools to be shut down

1196482439 [File] A man walks in a nearly empty street in Beijing | Getty Images

A total of 1,255 inbound and outbound flights to Beijing were cancelled on Wednesday morning since the municipal government increased the emergency level by COVID-19 on Tuesday night. The city’s municipal authorities have also ordered schools to be shut down and have urged citizens not to leave Beijing as they rush to contain the new coronavirus outbreak linked to a meat, fruits and vegetable food market. 

On Wednesday the city reported 31 new cases, of which six were asymptotic. On June 12, Beijing reported its first new case in 56 days. They had visited the Xinfadi wholesale market. Post this 11 more people tested positive in the city, causing authorities to seal neighbourhoods where the patients reside. 



As on Tuesday, around 36 new cases were confirmed, taking the total number of cases to 106. Currently, the total number of cases in the city is 137. Tens of thousands of people linked to the new Beijing virus cluster—believed to have started in the sprawling Xinfadi wholesale food market—are being tested, with almost 30 residential compounds in the city now under lockdown, according to an AFP report.



In the wake of cases being reported back-to-back, the residents now fear a Wuhan-style lockdown. Authorities have already ordered 11 markets to be shut down and disinfected thousands of food and beverage outlets. Group sports have also been banned and citizens are required to wear masks while in crowded enclosed spaces. 

  

According to officials, more than 200,000 people had visited the Xinfadi market since May 30. The Xinfadi market supplies more than 70 per cent of fruits and vegetables to Beijing.