As Cases Begin to Rise, Beijing Tightens its Controls.

On Saturday, China reported 8,329 cases.



Shanghai reported 7,872 cases (95%), 788 of which were symptomatic infections, and 38 deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 422.

The Chinese capital city of Beijing tightened restrictions against COVID-19 on Saturday in order to reduce cross-infection as high mobility is expected during the five-day Labor Day holiday beginning Saturday.

Between 3 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Beijing reported 59 new locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and eight asymptomatic cases. Since April 22nd, a total of 295 local infections in 13 districts have been recorded in the city.

Beijing now has six high-risk areas and 23 medium-risk areas designated for COVID-19.

According to Ding Jianhua of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, many cases in the recent outbreak in Beijing were infected at restaurants. To reduce the risk of cross-infection, restaurants in Beijing will suspend eat-in service and instead offer delivery services from May 1st to 4th.

Beijing is also preparing to build makeshift hospitals in case of a rainstorm.

An estimated 4,000 beds have been reserved in Beijing for COVID-19 infections, and more venues are being transformed into large-scale makeshift hospitals in case of need, according to Li Ang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, at a press conference on Saturday.

"The makeshift hospitals are designed to treat mild cases and asymptomatic carriers, which is an effective way to halt the spread of the epidemic. It is also critical to reduce overuse of medical resources and ensure that citizens receive medical treatment on time," said Li.

Residents should not be alarmed, according to Li, because there are currently "not so many patients in Beijing," but they should "plan ahead."

A negative nucleic acid test result is required to enter public places during the Labor Day holiday.

Parks, open venues for entertainment, and cultural activities will limit the number of visitors to half of the maximum flow during the holiday.

Beginning May 5th, the city government also requires people who enter public places or use public transportation to have a negative nucleic acid test within seven days. To help the public, free nucleic acid testing will be made available to citizens beginning May 3rd.