CHINA / SOCIETY
China’s capital city keeps markets running during fight against COVID-19 outbreak
Published: Nov 24, 2022 09:54 PM Updated: Nov 24, 2022 09:48 PM
People in Beijing's Chaoyang district are getting nucleic acid tests in their neighborhood. The city’s numerous nucleic acid testing sites for large-scale testing that had been set up along the roadsides and around commercial and office areas were temporarily closed in Chaoyang district starting from Monday. Photo: ifeng

People in Beijing's Chaoyang district are getting nucleic acid tests in their neighborhood. The city’s numerous nucleic acid testing sites for large-scale testing that had been set up along the roadsides and around commercial and office areas were temporarily closed in Chaoyang district starting from Monday. Photo: ifeng


China's capital city, which is going all out to fight the virus, will strengthen the operation of markets related to people's daily lives. The city's shopping malls and supermarkets have had to reopen after being closed for just one day, Beijing officials said at Thursday's press briefing. 

The authorities said they have been making efforts to ensure the city's daily supply of meat, eggs, vegetables and other daily necessities.

Beijing is facing the most complicated and severe anti-epidemic situation since the outbreak of COVID-19, with more than 10,632 cases reported in the latest outbreak from November 1 to 24. More than 1,000 new infections have been reported in the city every day for three consecutive days since November 21.

On Wednesday alone, Beijing reported 509 new confirmed cases and 1,139 asymptomatic infections, 328 of whom were found through social screening, according to local health authorities.

Local officials said that the number of new infections in Beijing continues to rise and affect a wide area of the city, and epidemic control remains on high alert as the capital is at a critical stage in dealing with the situation.

"The number of cases detected among communities continues to increase, and the risk of hidden transmission among communities is high," said an official from Chaoyang district, the hardest-hit area.

Starting from Thursday, residents in Beijing must present a 48-hour negative nucleic acid test before entering enterprises, commercial buildings, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, scenic spots and other public places, or when taking public transportation, according to the authorities.

At the same time, accelerating the detection and management of infections is considered a top priority to contain the rate of the spread and the rise of the epidemic in the city. Prioritizing regional nucleic acid testing and minimizing the time to report test results are considered important means to detect potential infection risks.

Other measures to rein in risks have also been strengthened, including restricting gatherings of people, conducting large-scale nucleic acid testing, implementing closed-loop management in key places such as nursing homes and enhancing disinfection in public venues.

Global Times