Covid: Beijing bar at centre of latest cases loses permit

BEIJING/TORONTO: Beijing on Tuesday revoked the licence of a bar at the centre of a fast-spreading Covid-19 outbreak in the capital city, which has been linked to at least 327 cases of the infection across several districts, triggering mass tests and targeted lockdowns.

Local authorities filed a criminal case against the owner of the Heaven Supermarket bar, located in the city’s most populous Chaoyang district, late on Tuesday night, listing it for “seriously breaching the law and conducting dishonest acts”.

“Apart from the bar owner, Beijing police also filed five other criminal cases, including a bargoer who wandered freely from one district to another, even when told to quarantine at home,” the state-run tabloid, Global Times reported.

The fresh cluster of cases was reported within days of Beijing easing restrictions and implementing a staggered nucleic acid testing regime after bringing under control the previous Omicron-led outbreak, first discovered on April 22.

Restrictions were eased in the first week of June after a month of city-wide semi-lockdown where public transport was shut down and in-restaurant dining was banned.

The curbs, however, were rolled back last week after cases related to the bar were reported from across Beijing. Overall, Beijing has reported more than 2,000 Covid-19 cases since April 22.

Meanwhile, Shanghai has ordered all the city’s 16 districts to organise mass Covid-19 testing for residents every weekend until the end of July, a city official said on Wednesday.

Canada lifts vaccine mandates for travel

The Canadian government on Tuesday withdrew the majority of its Covid-19 vaccine mandates after criticism that the restrictions were causing hours-long delays at airports and creating a group of second class citizens.

The relaxations allow the lifting of the vaccination requirement to travel domestically and internationally by trains or planes in Canada from June 20.

However, passengers will still be required to wear masks on board, and those travelling to Canada will continue to be subject of vaccination requirements for entry into country.

Federal employees who were suspended for not getting vaccinated will also be allowed to return to work.

The government warned that the mandates could return should a need arise.