Beijing begins mass COVID-19 testing for more than 21 million people

The above move took place amid concerns about the capital Beijing China may be under a strict blockade as in Shanghai increasingly.

China is trying to contain a wave of infections in Shanghai, its largest city. Shanghai has almost been close the door completely over the past several weeks. The city reported 52 new COVID-19 deaths on April 26.

After detecting dozens of new cases of COVID-19 in recent days, the Beijing government ordered people in 12 central districts that make up the majority of the city’s population to undergo three PCR tests.

People in Beijing wait in line to be tested for COVID-19. (Photo: Kyodo)

Chaoyang District, Beijing’s most populous central district, was the first to launch the campaign mass testing implemented from 25/2.

The remaining eleven counties began testing on April 26.

The order to test in Chaoyang district has caused people in Beijing to rush to buy food and essential goods from the night of February 24. People lined up at supermarkets with carts full of goods and shopping bags bulging, while state media tried to reassure the public that supplies remained plentiful.

Beijing residents say they fear a repeat of sudden shutdowns like those in Shanghai, where residents struggle to get food and medical care for those who don’t have COVID- 19.

Beijing reported 33 new COVID-19 cases on April 26. (Photo: NDTV)

Beijing city health official Xu Hejian said on April 25 that the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Beijing remained “under control”.

The Chinese capital reported 33 new cases on April 26, a fraction of the 16,000 daily new cases in Shanghai.

However, Beijing officials are worried and trying to contain the disease, avoiding a spiral outbreak.

The Beijing government urged companies to allow employees to work from home, blockade many residential areas and suspend local group travel before the long May 1 National Day holiday; urged Beijingers not to leave the city during public holidays unless necessary.

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