SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China suspended dozens of international flights on Friday amid a global surge in Omicron cases, while the city of Shanghai curbed tourist activity as it rushed to head off local COVID-19 infections as imported cases rose. Cities acr…
Frustration over COVID-19 restrictions in increasingly isolated Hong Kong
By Farah Master HONG KONG (Reuters) – Hong Kong is following mainland China’s zero-tolerance approach to control COVID-19, rankling many residents of the international financial hub as much of the world shifts towards living with the coronavirus. Hong …
In Beijing’s Olympic bubble: police escorts, daily COVID-19 tests, robot chefs
By Martin Quin Pollard and Pawel Kopczynski BEIJING (Reuters) – In a hived-off section of the Beijing airport, arrivals for next month’s Winter Olympics are met by staff in white protective suits and undergo COVID-19 tests and swabs of luggage before b…
North Korea says won’t attend Beijing Olympics, blames COVID-19 and ‘hostile forces’
By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) – In a letter to China, North Korea blamed “hostile forces” and COVID-19 risks for not being able to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing and accused the United States of trying to prevent the Games’ success, sta…
China warns hospitals against rejecting patients over COVID curbs as cases decline
BEIJING (Reuters) – China reported fewer COVID cases on Friday as several cities have curbed movements, while a top official warned hospitals not to turn away patients after a woman’s miscarriage during a lockdown in the city of Xian sparked outrage. C…
Speed skating-Kersten ends Britain’s 30-year Olympic long track wait
(Reuters) – Cornelius Kersten will become the first long track speed skater from Britain to compete at the Winter Olympics in 30 years after being named in their squad for Beijing on Tuesday. The 27-year-old sealed his place after a solid qualification…
China’s Xian vows strict implementation of COVID curbs even as cases decline
(corrects Sunday case number in Xian to 90 from 95 in 2nd paragraph) BEIJING (Reuters) -Xian, a Chinese city almost two weeks into a lockdown, is demanding officials “strictly and properly” implement COVID-19 curbs, as new local cases among its 13 mill…
Beijing meets state air quality standards for first time in 2021
BEIJING (Reuters) – The Chinese capital Beijing met state air quality standards for the first time last year, officials said on Tuesday, following a concerted effort to cut coal consumption, reduce transportation emissions and relocate heavy industry. …
UK honours COVID scientists and medics, Bond actor Daniel Craig
By Michael Holden LONDON (Reuters) – Britain recognised the scientists and medical chiefs at the forefront of the battle against COVID-19 in Queen Elizabeth’s annual New Year’s honours list, while James Bond actor Daniel Craig was given the same award …
Chinese cities on COVID alert as New Year holiday looms
BEIJING (Reuters) – China is on high alert against COVID-19 as the New Year holiday looms, with the city of Xian under lockdown while several New Year’s Eve events in other cities have been cancelled and some provinces urged restraint in travel during …