Beijing Districts Appear to be Adopting Optimized Covid Measures

Beijing has started to take steps towards optimizing Covid control measures. 

According to a report by Global Times, one of the previously released 20 optimized measures advised against frequent testing in areas that don't have any infections, and specified that testing entire districts will only be used to screen transmission chains and to track down the sources of infections.

Chaoyang, Daxing, Shijingshan, Tongzhou, Shunyi and Fengtai Districts have announced that Covid tests will no longer be required for people who don't engage in frequent social activities or outside movement, such as online students and people who are working remotely from home.

Venues still require negative test results with a validity of 24 to 48 hours for entry, though, so this should be taken into account for those who decide to eventually go out.

Meanwhile, some communities in Beijing's Fengtai District have launched self-administered nucleic acid testing, with health officials in these communities teaching people how to take samples on their own. Residents can complete Covid tests and collect swabs by themselves without having to wait at Covid testing stations, according to Beijing Daily.

While the changes aren't big, things like this seem to point to the capital taking baby steps towards easing off on some Covid policies at the district level. Whether they stay in place or spread further remains to be seen, but it's a step in the right direction nonetheless.