Beijing shut parks, shopping malls and museums on Tuesday, as cases of Covid-19 continue to rise and more Chinese cities resume mass testing for the virus. This has dampened hopes for a quick post-coronavirus reopening, Reuters reported.
China, on Monday, reported 28,127 new local cases nationally. Infections in Guangzhou and the southwestern municipality of Chongqing account for about half of the total. Beijing reported 1,438 new cases on Sunday. Popular venues like Happy Valley amusement park and the city's vast Chaoyang Park have been shut down to curb the spread of the virus.
China's strict zero-Covid policy had recently come under the radar. Authorities had been asked to stay clear of widespread lockdowns and testing, and be more targetted on their clampdowns. China's international borders still remain closed. Under the strict policy, buildings in Beijing have often been locked down.
Beijing has tightened rules regarding new arrivals-- it has been facing a severe Covid-19 crisis. Arrivals from elsewhere in the country have to undergo Covid-19 testing for three days before leaving their accommodation. Chinese Vice-Premier Sun Chunlan visited Chongqing and urged the authorities there to adhere to the measures and bring the outbreak under control, The Straits Times reported.
