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Coronavirus in Beijing: 27 neighbourhoods not allowed to leave as spike continues | Coronavirus in Beijing: 27 neighbourhoods not allowed to leave as spike continues |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Millions of people in Beijing are living under renewed restrictions, as a spike in virus cases continues. | Millions of people in Beijing are living under renewed restrictions, as a spike in virus cases continues. |
The city reported another 31 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 137 in the past week. | The city reported another 31 cases on Wednesday, bringing the total to 137 in the past week. |
Before the recent spike, the Chinese capital had gone 57 days without a locally-transmitted case. | Before the recent spike, the Chinese capital had gone 57 days without a locally-transmitted case. |
The outbreak is believed to have started in the massive Xinfandi food market that supplies 80% of the city's meat and vegetables. | The outbreak is believed to have started in the massive Xinfandi food market that supplies 80% of the city's meat and vegetables. |
What are the new restrictions? | What are the new restrictions? |
At least 27 neighbourhoods have been classed as medium risk and one neighbourhood, near the market, is high risk. | At least 27 neighbourhoods have been classed as medium risk and one neighbourhood, near the market, is high risk. |
People in medium or high-risk areas cannot leave the city. People in low-risk areas can leave, but need to test negative first. | People in medium or high-risk areas cannot leave the city. People in low-risk areas can leave, but need to test negative first. |
However, getting a test is difficult - three testing stations told the BBC there were no tests available until July. Queues were seen outside other centres. | However, getting a test is difficult - three testing stations told the BBC there were no tests available until July. Queues were seen outside other centres. |
More than 1,200 flights have been cancelled to and from the city and railway services have been reduced until at least 9 July. | More than 1,200 flights have been cancelled to and from the city and railway services have been reduced until at least 9 July. |
Primary school, middle school, and college classes are suspended, sports teams cannot play, and swimming pools and gyms are closed. | Primary school, middle school, and college classes are suspended, sports teams cannot play, and swimming pools and gyms are closed. |
However, roads are open, and companies and factories can still work. The city is on a "level two" alert, the second-highest. | However, roads are open, and companies and factories can still work. The city is on a "level two" alert, the second-highest. |
Normal-ish...then bam! | Normal-ish...then bam! |
Restaurants, sport, packed trains, even the pub… there we were, basking in the glory of "normal-ish" life in Beijing, after more than 50 days without an infection. | Restaurants, sport, packed trains, even the pub… there we were, basking in the glory of "normal-ish" life in Beijing, after more than 50 days without an infection. |
Then: bam! | Then: bam! |
The market outbreak has dragged us back into a virus prevention bubble. | The market outbreak has dragged us back into a virus prevention bubble. |
In effect, it's very hard to leave Beijing right now. If you haven't done a test in the past week your departure is not allowed, and limited testing capacity is, understandably, being diverted to "high risk" groups. | In effect, it's very hard to leave Beijing right now. If you haven't done a test in the past week your departure is not allowed, and limited testing capacity is, understandably, being diverted to "high risk" groups. |
The airlines know this. That's why they've cancelled 1,255 flights in and out of the capital on Wednesday so far. | The airlines know this. That's why they've cancelled 1,255 flights in and out of the capital on Wednesday so far. |
For the moment, the authorities are managing Beijing districts almost like cities within the city, imposing strict measures where needed in the hope that they can control it. | For the moment, the authorities are managing Beijing districts almost like cities within the city, imposing strict measures where needed in the hope that they can control it. |
However, this is touching everyone's movements. | However, this is touching everyone's movements. |
The main difference between now and February is that businesses, government departments, manufacturing are all still operating. | The main difference between now and February is that businesses, government departments, manufacturing are all still operating. |
Perhaps because of this, there seems to be a general confidence that the cluster will be controlled - before becoming a full-blown second wave. | Perhaps because of this, there seems to be a general confidence that the cluster will be controlled - before becoming a full-blown second wave. |
Where did the outbreak begin? | Where did the outbreak begin? |
Local media said the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the Xinfandi market. | Local media said the virus was discovered on chopping boards used for imported salmon at the Xinfandi market. |
The general manager of the market was dismissed, along with other local officials. | The general manager of the market was dismissed, along with other local officials. |
The Beijing government said "relevant people" from the market would not be allowed to leave the city, regardless of which neighbourhood they live in. | The Beijing government said "relevant people" from the market would not be allowed to leave the city, regardless of which neighbourhood they live in. |
The market has tens of thousands of visitors each day. | The market has tens of thousands of visitors each day. |
What is the situation in the rest of China? | What is the situation in the rest of China? |
In general, China has successfully "flattened the curve" in recent months. | In general, China has successfully "flattened the curve" in recent months. |
After passing 80,000 confirmed cases at the start of March, it has added only around 3,200 since then. | After passing 80,000 confirmed cases at the start of March, it has added only around 3,200 since then. |
On Tuesday, for example, it reported just 32 locally-transmitted cases in the whole country - 27 were in Beijing with four in neighbouring Hebei. | On Tuesday, for example, it reported just 32 locally-transmitted cases in the whole country - 27 were in Beijing with four in neighbouring Hebei. |
Do you live in one of the 27 Beijing neighbourhoods where restrictions are in place? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. | |
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