The Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Beijing CDC) told local media late on 29 July that COVID-19 activity in the capital remains in a “periodic fluctuation” pattern, driven by an NB.1.8.1 sub-lineage. Young and middle-aged adults currently account for more than half of recorded cases, but hospitals report that fever-clinic visits and drug supplies are within normal capacity. For international mobility managers, the key takeaway is that Beijing has *not* reinstated entry testing, quarantine or mask mandates. China’s State Council shifted to a risk-based, province-level health-management regime in early 2025, and municipal authorities now avoid blanket restrictions that could choke business travel. That said, the Beijing CDC reminded visitors with chronic illnesses or weak immune systems to obtain a booster if their last vaccination was more than six months ago. Airlines flying into Beijing Daxing and Capital airports confirmed to Global Times that load factors remain above 80 percent for the first week of August, and no itinerary-change fee waivers are planned. Large convention venues such as the China National Convention Center have retained rapid-test booths at entrances; organisers may request a 24-hour negative antigen result for events hosting over 5,000 participants, so travellers should budget ¥15-¥25 and 15 minutes to obtain a test. Corporate relocation teams should update pre-departure briefings to reflect the latest health-insurance guidance: foreign residents can still redeem COVID-19 outpatient costs under Beijing’s public medical-insurance top-up scheme until 31 December 2026, but claims must be processed through designated hospitals. Those on short-term business visas should verify that their global medical plans reimburse over-the-counter antiviral purchases (currently averaging ¥1,200 for a five-day course). Bottom line: the current uptick has limited operational impact, but companies with large inbound groups in August—especially for autumn trade fairs—should monitor municipal announcements daily and prepare contingency plans for on-site antigen testing if case numbers spike.
Source: Global Times
