All Overseas Arrivals Will Now Be Quarantined at Designated Government Facilities

As of midnight tonight, everyone arriving in Beijing from overseas will now be required to do a 14-day quarantine at a government-designated location at their own expense, the city government announced at its press conference at 4pm today.

According to the new policy, everyone -- even those with residences in the city and those not exhibiting any symptoms of Covid-19 -- will be quarantined in designated facilities, usually local hotels.

“From midnight on March 16th, all asymptomatic persons entering Beijing should, in principle, be transferred to a centralized facility for 14 days of observation at their own expense," said Chen Bei, the deputy secretary general of the Beijing municipal government. "In special circumstances, home quarantine can be conducted after evaluation.”

According to a post from the official WeChat account for the BTV program Beijing Time, it may be possible for some to get permission to conduct their quarantine at home.

In essence, BTV's post states that residents should apply with their local neighborhood committee for permission to conduct their quarantine at home (don't know how to contact your neigborhood committee? Ask your building management or your landord to contact them on your behalf). The neighborhood committee holds the right to determine if your residence meets the criteria for home quarantine. If they agree, you will be asked to sign a pledge that promises you will observe the quarantine rules of your community. (No details of what criteria are used to determine the suitability of a home for quarantined were offered).

The BTV account also states that exceptions to centralized quarantine may be made in special cases such as elderly persons with chronic disease or others that are "not suitable" for central quarantine conditions. No criteria were given for what constitutes "suitability."

Prior to today, only certain passengers on certain flights have been required to go into central quarantine, mostly those who were seated within several rows of passengers showing symptoms of COVID-19. Others have been allowed to return to their residences.

The escalation in the policy comes at a time where the vast majority of new infections in Beijing have been coming in from abroad.

Expats who have been in compulsory quarantine report being put up at local hotels and are not allowed to leave their room. Prepared meals have been delivered to them, and some are allowing residents to order items for delivery.

The cost of the lodging has been reported to be between RMB 260 and RMB 600 per night.

It remains to be seen how strict Beijing will be on this policy, which goes into effect at midnight tonight. We will be following up with this story as it develops. If you’ve recently arrived, let us know your experience in the comments below.

Photo: Beijing City Government