New virus cases reported in Beijing

Beijing recorded three new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases between midnight on Tuesday and 4 pm on Wednesday, a senior official said at a news conference on Wednesday.

Liu Xiaofeng, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, said the capital's Haidian district reported two cases and Tongzhou district reported one.

Liu said all relevant control measures are being taken.

"Beijing still faces a complex and severe epidemic prevention and control situation," he said.

All measures targeting people arriving in the capital should be strictly followed, Liu said, including the need for a negative nucleic acid test result from within the 48 hours before arrival, and one from within the 24 hours before arrival. A negative test result 72 hours after arrival is also needed.

The city has also asked Beijing residents to spend the upcoming May Day holiday within its jurisdiction, and only to leave if it is absolutely necessary.

The city authorities have also reminded residents who are planning a vacation not to travel to medium- or high-risk areas or to participate in mass gatherings.