Strict epidemic control to continue in Beijing

Beijing will continue to implement strict epidemic control and prevention measures to keep the number of COVID-19 cases at around zero, said the municipality spokesperson Xu Hejian on Friday.

"People will travel more frequently as the New Year and Spring Festival approaches, which will bring challenge to the city's epidemic control and prevention work," he said. "The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Games, which will be held soon, will add to the challenges."

The Beijing government has encouraged residents to spend the holidays in the city and avoid going to places that have reported confirmed cases in the past 14 days.

During Spring Festival, there used to be many cultural shows, traditional gatherings and commercial promotion events in the past. However, those activities will not be held this year if the scale involves too many people.

The family get-together should not involve more than 10 people. Cards rooms in residential communities should continue to be suspended to avoid infection risks.