China Halts Sales of Travel Packages to "Beijing Ojilmara"

Some Travel Agencies in Guangdong Province Suspend New Year and Lunar New Year Travel Package Sales
Beijing Implements Strict Tourism Controls... Do Not Create or Sell Travel Packages

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] According to China's state-run Global Times on the 28th, some travel agencies have stopped offering 'Beijing package tours' following the confirmation of new COVID-19 cases in Beijing, the capital of China.

The Global Times reported that some travel agencies in Guangdong Province, southern China, have suspended reservations for Beijing package tours.

The Global Times added that this measure came after statements from Chinese health authorities indicating that travel to Beijing would be strictly controlled for the time being.

Residents of an apartment in Wangjing, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China are undergoing COVID-19 testing.

Chinese health authorities have specifically instructed travel agencies nationwide not to create Beijing travel programs during the New Year and Lunar New Year holidays.

They also directed all travel agencies nationwide not to sell Beijing travel products to those who have visited high-risk areas or have recently entered the country from abroad.

Accordingly, the Global Times reported that there is an increased possibility of cancellations or schedule changes for pre-booked Beijing travel products.

In Beijing, a total of 13 people have been confirmed infected with the COVID-19 virus over 13 days since the 14th. The cases are distributed as follows: 9 in Shunyi District, 3 in Chaoyang District, and 1 in Xicheng District. This is the first confirmed case in Beijing (excluding imported and asymptomatic cases) since the Xinfadi market outbreak in June.

Beijing health authorities have locked down several residential complexes in Shunyi District and conducted nucleic acid testing on 800,000 people across 13 areas.

The Shunyi District cases have also affected Wangjing, where many Korean residents live.

It was confirmed that a person in their 20s living in Shunyi District, who tested positive, worked at a company in Wangjing, Chaoyang District, where many Koreans reside. As a result, comprehensive testing was conducted in three Wangjing areas until the 27th, with about 300,000 people tested.

Chaoyang District announced that as of 8 a.m. on the 27th, all 234,413 people tested were negative, but it is still too early to be assured.