JAKARTA - Beijing authorities have tightened COVID-19 restrictions for visitors to the capital from Wednesday, imposed conditions for negative COVID-19 test results and reduced domestic flights ahead of the Olympics.
With less than 100 days to go with Beijing hosting the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in February, China braces for the challenge to its zero-COVID strategy as thousands of international athletes descend on Beijing after months of strict border controls.
No spectators from outside China will be allowed to attend the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, which will be held from February 4 to 20 in a "closed-loop" bubble.
An estimated 2,900 athletes will have to be fully vaccinated or face a 21-day quarantine on arrival. They will also undergo daily COVID-19 tests.
Meanwhile, all visitors to the capital must now show a negative COVID-19 test result from the last 48 hours, while flights from higher risk areas in China are canceled or restricted to once a day with reduced capacity.
"Beijing is the capital, it has strong regional and international connections. The virus must not enter Beijing and must not spread in Beijing," city spokesman Xu Hejian said at a press conference citing CNA Nov. 17.
The new restrictions also include testing for COVID-19 every three days, for more than 30,000 people working related to supply chains during the winter.
China has said previous outbreaks among Beijing market workers and dock workers in eastern China's Qingdao were linked to winter supply chain products.
The number of cases in China remains significantly lower than in most countries, with just eight domestic infections as of Wednesday.
However, the authorities are taking no chances as international attention is focused on Beijing ahead of the winter games.
To note, China has imposed very strict border controls since last March, leaving families separated and many unable to return to work from abroad.
This year, the rules have relaxed a bit, but those entering the country will still need to undergo weeks of hotel quarantine, testing and monitoring.
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