The latest news on Beijing’s epidemic lockdown in 2022: When will things return to normal? Attached is the unblocking standard!

Recently, four clustered epidemics have occurred in Beijing, attracting national attention. As of 18:00 on May 17, there were 17 high-risk areas and 29 medium-risk areas in Beijing. So, what is the latest news about the lifting of Beijing’s epidemic lockdown in 2022? When will things return to normal? Attached is the unblocking standard!

1. The latest news on the lifting of Beijing’s epidemic lockdown in 2022: When will things return to normal?

1. The latest news on the Beijing epidemic in 2022
From 0:00 to 24:00 on May 17, there were 52 new local confirmed cases (including 9 asymptomatic infections converted to confirmed cases) and 17 asymptomatic infections, and no new suspected cases; there were no new imported confirmed cases, suspected cases and asymptomatic infections. 51 cases were cured and discharged from hospital.

2. When will Beijing’s epidemic situation be lifted and things return to normal in 2022?
Judging from the current epidemic prevention and control situation in Beijing, it is expected that the lockdown will be lifted at the end of May or early June, because Chaoyang District has achieved social zero for five consecutive days. Generally, the lockdown will be lifted about 14 days after social zero is achieved.

On May 16, a total of 4,174,840 people were sampled in the 17th round of regional nucleic acid screening in Chaoyang District, Beijing, and all the results were negative. In recent days, the number of new cases in Chaoyang District has shown a continuous downward trend, and the entire district has achieved zero social cases for five consecutive days. As of 16:00 on May 17, control measures were lifted in many areas of Chaoyang District, including Songyuxili North Community.

2. What are the criteria for lifting the lockdown in Beijing in 2022?

According to the latest response from Beijing's disease control department, four points regarding the unblocking work have been clarified: the first is the duration of the blockade and control. 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.

The second is the testing arrangements during the lockdown and control period. 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.
The third is the conditions for unblocking. 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 command center of each district will organize relevant departments to lift the lockdown based on a full assessment.

Fourth, 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.

From the above, we can see that Beijing is expected to lift the lockdown at the end of May or early June, but the specific details will depend on the actual situation and all information will be subject to official notification.