Chinese authorities are tightening restrictions in Beijing as the capital city geared up for a major summit for the Communist Party and the Winter Olympic games in about three months. The number of infections persistently rose in Beijing despite the country’s draconian measures to prevent virus transmissions. Beijing had reported nearly 40 cases in the latest resurgence, the highest since January and February before the delta variant entered China.
Beijing’s municipal government quarantined children from two schools after a teacher was tested positive. Another 16 schools were suspended as their staff might have come to the same vaccination venue where the infected teacher got a booster shot. Those educational institutions are now barred from in-class teaching as the authorities seek to prevent outbreaks among children and teenagers.
The city officials also block the entry of people from areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases. China’s state-owned rail operator had suspended ticket sales for trains to Beijing from 123 stations in 23 locations with COVID-19 infections. The latest outbreak has extended to 19 out 31 Chinese mainland provinces, the broadest spread since the deadly disease first occurred in Wuhan in late 2019.
