Beijing tightens grip on catering services as more COVID-19 cases reported
Updated 11:11, 13-Jun-2020
CGTN

The municipal government of Beijing has tightened its supervision of catering services as six new confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in the city since Friday.

The six cases, according to the National Health Commissions, are all domestic cases. The news comes after nearly two months of zero local transmission in the city. At least two cases had no recent travel history outside of Beijing.

Beijing authorities shut down the Xinfadi wholesale market at 3:00 a.m. local time on Saturday after staff contracted the novel coronavirus. The market is linked to three new COVID19 cases in the city. The virus was also detected on imported salmon processing tables. The Beijing authorities said over 10,000 people in the market will take a nucleic acid test.

Xinfadi market in Beijing. /VCG

Xinfadi market in Beijing. /VCG

Meanwhile, the authorities have said seafood and fresh and frozen meats, including pork, beef, mutton, chicken and duck, will be within the key scope of the examination. Supermarkets, convenience stores and other food business operators will also be firmly supervised over safety checks.

Customers are required to wear masks and have their temperatures checked before entering restaurants. Over one-meter social distancing must be maintained.

Education officials in Beijing also announced that classes of grades one-three in all primary schools would not reopen next week on June 15 as planned. Around 520,000 students will be affected.

All sports events have been suspended in Beijing since Friday. All enclosed public entertainment venues, such as cinemas and KTVs, will remain closed.

(Cover image via VCG)