A number of airlines are stepping up precautionary measures in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that continues to spread around the world
All residential areas in Beijing are under lockdown and thousands of flights in an out of the Chinese capital have been canceled due to a new outbreak of coronavirus infections, state media reported on Wednesday.
1,255 flights -- 640 incoming and 615 departing -- were canceled after authorities raised the city’s COVID-19 emergency response status from Level 3 to Level 2.
Lockdown measures were enforced across the city after the number of local infections crossed 100 in less than a week.
During the past 24 hours, 44 new COVID-19 cases were recorded on the Chinese mainland, including 31 from Beijing, bringing the capital’s tally to 137 in the past six days, the country's National Health Commission said in its daily report.
Authorities had earlier sealed Xinfadi market which sells seafood, fruit, and vegetables, and is believed to be the source of the new outbreak in the city.
Beijing, home to over 21 million people, has started mass nucleic acid tests, especially for those who visited the market.
According to the state-run newspaper, more cases linked to Beijing’s new wave have emerged outside the capital.
Authorities had earlier sealed Xinfadi market which sells seafood, fruit, and vegetables, and is believed to be the source of the new outbreak in the city.
