Beijing is tightening Covid entry rules ahead of Winter Olympics as new restrictions came into force on Wednesday for visitors to the Chinese capital.
The new rules require negative tests and cutting domestic flights as the city raises the drawbridge against the coronavirus ahead of the Winter Olympics.
The games are set to begin in less than 100 days in February. All visitors to the capital shall show a negative Covid test result from the past 48 hours, while flights from higher risk areas within China are going to be canceled or limited to one a day at reduced capacity.
"Beijing is the capital and has strong regional and international connections... The virus must not be introduced into Beijing and it must not spread in Beijing," city spokesman Xu Hejian said at a press conference on Tuesday.
In addition, the new restrictions include Covid tests every three days for the more than 30,000 people working with cold-chain imports in the city.
The number of Covid cases in China remains lower than in most countries, with only eight domestic infections on Wednesday. Nonetheless, authorities are taking no chances as international attention focuses on Beijing in the run-up to the winter games.
In the same manner, no spectators from outside China will be allowed to attend the Olympics, which will be held from February 4 to 20 in a "closed-loop" bubble.
The estimated 2,900 athletes must be fully vaccinated or face 21 days' quarantine upon arrival. They will also be tested daily.
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