To implement the latest edition of China's Protocol on Prevention and Control of COVID-19, Beijing has made the following adjustments to its COVID-19 containment measures in response to the Omicron variant and based on its past experience.

First, the policy for entering (returning to) Beijing has been updated to facilitate the regular flow of people. Restrictions on the entry or return to Beijing are now narrowed down to those with a travel or residence history to any county (county-level city, district or banner; the same below) with one or more confirmed local cases found within 7 days instead of 14 days. Other counties in the same prefecture-level administrative jurisdiction are no longer under the scope of such restrictions, and neither are counties where land border crossings are located. We will take prudent and progressive steps to resume direct international commercial passenger flights to Beijing while maintaining the focus on virus containment.

Second, we are resolute in preventing inbound infections so as to build a strong shield for the capital against the virus. In light of the latest COVID developments at home, Beijing decides to continue the prior-to-arrival risk screening measures. People with travel plans to Beijing may access the city by presenting a negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 48 hours and a green code on Beijing Health Kit, under the premise of a normal body temperature and proper personal protection. An additional nucleic acid test within 24-72 hours upon arrival in the city is required. For commuters to Beijing, a negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 72 hours and a green code on Beijing Health Kit are required as before. People who come to China via other ports of entry may enter Beijing after completing a 7-day quarantine and 3-day home-based health monitoring, by presenting a negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 48 hours and a green code on Beijing Health Kit.

Third, we will take science-based and targeted measures to manage people with risk of COVID exposure and thus minimize the risk of further virus spread. In light of the latest edition of the Protocol on Prevention and Control of COVID-19 and the actual situation of the capital, COVID-19 close contacts and people entering China by direct flights bound for Beijing will be placed under a 7-day quarantine at designated facilities plus 3-day health monitoring at home, while secondary contacts are subject to 7-day home-based isolation. People associated with localities of virus exposure or people who have a travel history to counties with land border crossings need to take two nucleic acid tests within three days and properly monitor the health conditions.