China’s Capital, Beijing has closed up entrances to more than 40 subway stations and 158 bus routes, to curb the wide spread of Omicron variant of COVID-19.
The country has nearly 450 new cases since April, after testing 22 million people over three rounds of mass testing.
The transit restrictions imposed on Wednesday affect districts on the eastern side of Beijing at the epicentre of its latest outbreak.
Kick starting from Thursday, a negative nucleic test issued within seven days will also be required to ride on public transport or enter public venues.
“Also, Many cinemas, malls and gyms across the city has been closed, since late April while indoor dining is also banned.
“Schools also has remained closed after the holiday ended, while a negative test result is required to enter places such as supermarkets.”
The city is trying to avoid a Shanghai-style lockdown, which since the end of March has brought China’s most important economic centre to a standstill.
Rachel/Al-Jazeera