China: Beijing introduces compulsory vaccination in several public places
People waiting for a dose of vaccine, at a vaccination center in Beijing, in January 2021. © REUTERS - CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
It is a small revolution in the Chinese epidemic strategy.
From next Monday, residents of Beijing who wish to access various public places will be required to present proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
Until now, the vaccine had never been associated with the health pass in China.
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With our correspondent in Beijing,
Stéphane Lagarde
The rebound of the Omicron variant is partially mastered in Beijing but it is again the summer of all dangers for the forbidden city.
The municipality cannot prevent its residents
from going on leave
for one more year , and especially from returning with the risk of bringing contamination back to the city.
Hence this acceleration of compulsory vaccination to enter places of entertainment, sports equipment and places of training.
"
In public places, especially closed spaces where people gather, once a hidden source of infection enters, there is a high risk of virus transmission, which will have an 'epidemic amplifying' effect.
“said Li Ang,
in a press conference on Wednesday.
To access the premises, the Beijingers will have to present their QR code on which appears the date of their last injection against Covid-19.
Visitors from outside must present proof of vaccination.
Nursing staff, agents of neighborhood committees and delivery people in particular will be required to take a booster dose in order to be able to work.
The authorities primarily target the elderly.
But if 80% of Beijingers have a complete vaccination schedule, some seniors continue to be wary of the bite.
Conditioning access to public places to people vaccinated against
Covid-19
, the idea is not new.
Trials were conducted just a year ago in several provinces in eastern and southern China, including to enter university campuses.
But the test had not been validated at the time by the central government.
This time, the measure comes into effect in the Chinese capital, long considered a health bubble within the health bubble.
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China
Coronavirus
Vaccines