The latest news on Beijing’s lifting of lockdown in 2022: How many days will it take to lift the lockdown after zero infection? What are the conditions required?

In recent days, the epidemic situation in Beijing has shown a good trend of decline, and prevention and control measures are gradually achieving positive results. At present, the epidemic situation is generally under control, but there are still sporadic cases. So, what is the latest news about Beijing’s lifting of the lockdown in 2022? How many days after zero clearance will the ban be lifted? What are the conditions required?

1. The latest news on Beijing’s lifting of lockdown in 2022

1. The latest situation of the epidemic in Beijing

According to the latest news released by Beijing’s official WeChat account: From 0:00 to 24:00 on May 25, there were 36 new local confirmed cases (including 2 asymptomatic infections converted to confirmed cases) and 9 asymptomatic infections, with no new suspected cases; there was 1 new imported confirmed case and 1 asymptomatic infection, with no new suspected cases. 36 cases were cured and discharged from hospital.

2. The latest news on Beijing’s lifting of lockdown

As of 24:00 on May 24, 2022, after evaluation by the Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in accordance with the Beijing Municipal COVID-19 Risk Grading Standards, the risk levels of one area in Haidian District and one area in Fangshan District were adjusted as follows:

Qinyuanchunjing Community in Doudian Town, Fangshan District has reported a total of 1 local confirmed case in the past 14 days. Anning Jiayuan Community in Anning North Road Community, Qinghe Street, Haidian District has not reported any local confirmed cases in the past 14 days. From now on, it will be downgraded from a medium-risk area to a low-risk area.

As of 17:00 on May 25, there were 9 high-risk areas and 21 medium-risk areas in Beijing.

In summary, there are still new cases and medium- and high-risk areas in Beijing. Eligible medium- and high-risk areas are being gradually unsealed, and the full unsealing is expected to be in mid-to-late June.

2. How many days will it take for Beijing to lift the lockdown after achieving zero-COVID in 2022?

Generally speaking, the lockdown can be lifted about 14 days after achieving social zero. Social zero means that the community transmission of COVID-19 has been initially blocked, which is a prerequisite for gradual lifting of the lockdown. However, the elimination of new cases in society does not mean that the lockdown has been completely lifted. Residents still need to strengthen their precautions and actively and consciously implement measures such as nucleic acid testing, antigen self-testing, and health monitoring to prevent a rebound in the epidemic. Even if the lockdown is lifted, we must ensure that we do not lift the prevention measures and ensure and consolidate the results of epidemic prevention and control.

3. What conditions are needed for Beijing to lift the lockdown in 2022?

Conditions for lifting the lockdown: If during the lockdown and control period, the nucleic acid test results of all personnel are negative, and the last close contact has been away for 4 days or more and the nucleic acid test result is negative, after the lockdown and control period expires, the COVID-19 prevention and control headquarters of each district will organize relevant departments to lift the lockdown based on a full assessment.

1. Closure and control time

The closed and controlled areas will be sealed or controlled for 10 days. If the environmental test results of all items in the community (village) are negative, the starting time of the seal and control will be calculated from the time when the case leaves the community (village); if the environmental test results of any item in the community (village) are positive, the starting time will be calculated from the time when terminal disinfection is completed; if new cases or new points occur during the seal and control period (the new positive points are outside the residential units of the original cases and do not overlap with the original positive points), the starting time will be recalculated.

2. Testing arrangements during lockdown and control

People in the closed and controlled areas will undergo nucleic acid testing on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 10th day from the start of the lockdown and control, and will undergo antigen self-testing on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th day.

3. Management requirements after unblocking

After the lockdown is lifted, people will be managed in the control area for 4 days; after the lockdown is lifted, people will undergo 4 days of health monitoring.

In general, the epidemic in Beijing is currently in the stage of gradually shifting to controlling sporadic social outbreaks and focusing on local key outbreaks, and it is expected to be lifted in mid-to-late June.