Beijing announced it would lower its emergency response to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from Level II to Level III from July 20, at a press conference held by the Beijing Municipal Government on July 19. The capital had reported no new confirmed cases of COVID-19 for 14 consecutive days by July 19, and all medium-risk areas had been cleared.

However, the city will continue to stick to the strategy of preventing imported cases and local resurgences as part of its regular COVID-19 control. For example, venues such as parks, tourist attractions and libraries will open only to limited visitors. In addition, to prevent local resurgences, the capital will step up epidemic control and prevention at farm produce markets, restaurants and bars, construction sites and factories. Environmental monitoring and health situation reporting will be carried out at farm produce markets, while underground spaces with poor ventilation will be off limit. Stringent inspections of food imports will be maintained.

At the press conference, people were also reminded to prepare for a possible outbreak in the fall and winter, and emphasis was placed on continued consolidation of current results through environmental remediation, community sterilization and garbage sorting. The municipal government has established a scientific and practical mechanism that can effectively control the spread of the virus in a short period of time and provide regular prevention and containment methods.

It is necessary to enhance the social understanding of COVID-19 transmission since the global pandemic has not been contained. New policies such as gradual reopening of cinemas and inter-province travel call for flexible prevention methods based on the epidemic situation and social development premised on regular control.

This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in The Beijing News on July 20

(Print Edition Title: Precautions Remain)