Beijing will tighten its Covid-19 restrictions with extra testing measures, officials stated on Saturday, as the start of the Labor Day vacation was hampered by the capital’s lingering illnesses.

The five-day holiday is usually one of China’s busiest travel times, but the country’s worst Covid recurrence since the pandemic’s early stages is expected to keep many at home.

Faced with the highly transmissible Omicron variety, Chinese officials have reaffirmed their zero-Covid policy, focusing on mass testing and lockdowns to eliminate viral clusters.

Despite rising economic expenses and popular dissatisfaction, Beijing has stated that after the Christmas season, access to public areas will be further restricted.

According to a notification on the city’s official WeChat page, starting May 5, a negative Covid test done within the previous week would be required to enter “all kinds of public areas and to take public transport.”

According to the new requirements, participants in activities like athletic events and group trips will also need to demonstrate a negative Covid test done within 48 hours, as well as confirmation of “full vaccination.”

On Saturday, China reported over 10,700 domestic Covid cases, including asymptomatic cases, the majority of which were in Shanghai, the country’s economic powerhouse.

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