China shuts down Universal Studios amid surge in Covid cases

Beijing: As China continues to report a surge in Covid-19 cases, Beijing on Sunday shut down Universal Studios and banned all restaurant dining.

The Beijing authorities have also ordered the residents to provide Covid negative report to be able to enter public venues.

The latest orders come amid China's zero-Covid policy. According to CNN, the Chinese Transport Ministry expects 100 million journeys to be made over the holiday -- a 62 percent plunge from last year.

China's financial hub -- Shanghai -- has been under a month-long lockdown. The latest surge in cases in Beijing and Shanghai-style lockdown has forced its residents to rush to stock up their food and daily necessities.

After the holiday, workers and students will be required to present a negative Covid test -- taken within the previous 48 hours -- to return to work or school and starting from May 5, residents must provide a negative Covid test -- taken within the previous seven days -- to enter all public venues, including taking public transport, CNN reported.

Besides, all residents are ordered to take a Covid test once a week. On Sunday, Universal Beijing Resort said its Universal Studios theme park and CityWalk shopping zone would be closed immediately after receiving "guidance" from disease control authorities.

It did not say when the park would reopen, CNN reported. Beijing has reported 59 local infections on Sunday. Meanwhile, Shanghai has reported that 7,872 local cases. (UNI)