Beijing orders city schools to remain closed

The Chinese capital ordered schools to remain closed to students on Thursday as part of attempts to eliminate the latest outbreak of coronavirus cases.

Classes had been expected to return after the Labor Day holiday, but Beijing authorities have deemed they should be suspended for at least another week. Meanwhile, the suspension of dine-in of restaurants, bars and indoor entertainment during the holiday will continue indefinitely. Beijing has also closed 60 subway stations, more than 10% of its vast system, to prevent the possibility of the virus spreading. City residents are required to undergo three tests throughout the week as authorities seek to detect and isolate cases without imposing the sort of sweeping lockdowns seen in Shanghai and elsewhere. A negative test result obtained within the previous 48 hours is required to gain entry to most public spaces.