Beijing tightens COVID restrictions

STORY: As part of tightened measures, Beijing has closed gyms and entertainment venues, banned dine-in services at restaurants and shut scores of bus routes and almost 15% of its sprawling subway system, while many residents voluntarily avoid going out.

Sun Meng, a manager at tailoring shop making wedding suits, said his business has been affected.

"There are many weddings in September and October that cannot be scheduled too, and this has a great impact to the wedding business," he said.

Residents of Beijing's worst-hit areas were told to work from home while more roads, compounds and parks were sealed off on Monday as the city of 22 million grappled with its worst outbreak since 2020.

A disease control official said there had been 50 new local COVID cases during the past 24 hours.

The city reported a total of 777 local COVID cases as of 3 p.m. (0700 GMT) Monday since April 22, the official said.