BEIJING -- The Chinese capital Beijing will no longer require those arriving from other areas in China with a low risk of COVID-19 infection to undergo nucleic acid tests or two weeks of health monitoring.

The relaxation of the entry rules will come into force on March 16, the Beijing municipal government said on March 12.

Previously, those entering Beijing from low-risk domestic areas needed to present a negative nucleic acid test result within seven days before their arrival and undergo further such tests one week and two weeks after their arrival.

All areas on the Chinese mainland are categorized as having a low risk of COVID-19 infection as of Friday.