A health worker (L) registers personal information at a COVID-19 testing site in Shunyi district of Beijing, Jan 3, 2021. [Photo by Zou Hong/chinadaily.com.cn]

To further strengthen the control and prevention of COVID-19 infection, Beijing government announced on Jan 5 that travelers from overseas should undergo a 7-day health monitoring period after the 14-day centralized quarantine after arrival.

During the time, individuals should not participate in any get-togethers or group events, said Xu Hejian, spokesman for the municipal government at a news conference on Tuesday.

If people who enter the country through other cities need to travel to Beijing, they should come to the capital after 21 days in the country. If someone has to come to the city before the 21-day requirement, he or she should report the information 72 hours before their arrival and continue to complete the 7-day home medical observation after arrival in Beijing, Xu said.

The city also will strengthen testing to reduce infection risks.

All travelers from overseas should receive a nasal test and stool specimen test, both by two medical institutions, after a 14-day quarantine and all results should be negative before they leave the observation center. The environment sample should be negative.

People will need to take another round of those tests after they complete the additional 7-day health monitoring period. Then, they can be released from health management measures.

Xu reminded the public that people who plan to travel to Beijing should get enough information about epidemic prevention regulations before their trip.