A community volunteer sits next to a health code for people to scan before entering a local market and a notice requiring a negative PCR test within 72 hours in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in a hutong neighborhood, on July 6, 2022 in TAIPEI, Taiwan - The Chinese capital has issued a mandate requiring people to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before they can enter some public spaces including gyms, museums and libraries, drawing concern from city residents over the sudden policy announcement and its impact on their daily lives.The health app that shows a person's latest PCR test results has been updated to make it easier to also access their vaccination status, according to Li Ang, a spokesperson for Beijing’s municipal health commission.The list of public places requiring vaccination does not include restaurants and offices.
The mandate will go into effect on Monday, with exceptions available only to those who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons."In the normalization of COVID-19 pandemic controls, getting vaccinated is still the most effective measure at controlling the spread of COVID-19," Li said in an announcement on Wednesday.More than 23 million people in Beijing have been vaccinated, Li said, which if accurate would cover the city's entire population and more.
A 2020 census found that Beijing was home to some 22 million long-term residents. It is unclear what makes up the discrepancy in the numbers.
The Beijing government did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment on the new measures.Li said that more than 3.6 million people over 60 years old have been vaccinated.