Beijing subways closed, more COVID cases reported

STORY: The Chinese capital city of 22 million people on Wednesday (May 4) shut about 15% of its transportation network, which included more than 60 subway stations and 158 bus routes, service providers said.

Even though Beijing residents were given a break on Friday after three consecutive days of mandatory mass testing, long lines formed at testing sites as weekly COVID tests would still be required from residents to enter office buildings and public venues and take subways or buses.

Beijing has reported dozens of new cases a day for about two weeks since its outbreak emerged. On Friday, officials said they detected 72 cases on May 5, the highest number so far.