This archive report was first published on 17 November 2021.
With less than 100 days to go until the Winter Olympics in February, Beijing has taken drastic measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the city. As of November 17, 2021, all visitors to the capital must show a negative Covid test result from the past 48 hours.
Flights from higher-risk areas within China will be cancelled or limited to one a day at reduced capacity. The new restrictions also include Covid tests every three days for the more than 30,000 people working with cold-chain imports in the city.
China has linked earlier outbreaks among market workers and dock workers in eastern China's Qingdao to cold-chain products. Despite having low case numbers, authorities are taking no chances as international attention focuses on Beijing in the run-up to the winter games.
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 and will be tested daily.
China has already imposed extremely strict border controls since last March, leaving families separated and many unable to return to work from outside the country. This year, rules have eased slightly, but those entering the country still need to undergo weeks of hotel quarantine, monitoring, and testing.
