China: Officials implementing tight COVID-19 restrictions in parts of Beijing's Chaoyang District as of April 11 /update 2

Event

Officials are implementing tight restrictions in parts of Beijing as of April 11 due to COVID-19 activity. Officials have designated the Erjiefang area of Chaoyang District as high risk. Residents in the affected community must stay at home. Essential businesses such as groceries and pharmacies may open with operating and capacity limits. Gatherings are banned. Officials will limit transport to and from the affected area. Security personnel will enforce checkpoints to ensure compliance with movement restrictions. Authorities typically maintain measures until two weeks after the latest date of newly confirmed community cases and conduct several rounds of COVID-19 testing before easing restrictions. Officials could place additional localities, especially adjacent communities, under localized movement controls if more COVID-19 cases emerge.

Authorities continue to enforce eased controls in Jinzhanxi Village in Chaoyang after eliminating COVID-19 cases. Gatherings remain restricted. However, officials now allow entertainment and hospitality establishments and office buildings to operate at 50-percent capacity.

Additionally, Beijing is maintaining entry requirements from other parts of China. Officials will likely continue to suspend flights and ticket sales for travel from cities regarded as high- or medium-risk areas. Entrants must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours before departure and have a "green" code on the city's health tracking app. Travelers must also undergo a COVID-19 nucleic test within 72 hours of arrival in Beijing. Officials also prevent arrivals to the city from going to restaurants, gatherings, and crowded locations for seven days.

Increased health screenings are likely at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX), and other passenger transport hubs throughout Beijing. Authorities previously suspended more than 200 inter-provincial bus services with the capital, and ground transport disruptions are likely to continue. Officials could introduce a departure ban or long-distance travel controls in Beijing at short notice.

Advice

Follow all official instructions. Remain polite and nonconfrontational if questioned by security personnel. Confirm travel reservations to, from, and in Beijing.