Travel rush begins for May holidays amid COVID outbreaks

China's labor day holiday travel rush started Saturday with less travelers expected to leave their homes amid ongoing coronavirus outbreaks in the nation's capital Beijing and prolonged lockdowns in Shanghai.

Ahead of the May holidays, authorities in Beijing discouraged residents from unnecessary travel, and to reduce gatherings and group dinners, entertainment venues, cinemas and group tours were also suspended or closed during the holidays.

The government ordered the indefinite closure of schools and three rounds of testing of virtually all the capital's 21 million residents this week.