Beijing will require nucleic acid tests within 72 hours of entry into the city, in a move to step up COVID-19 prevention after the city reported its first local Omicron case on Saturday.

The policy will start on Jan 22 and last through the end of March, according to Beijing Daily, covering the Chinese New Year holiday season and the city's Winter Olympics.

Previously Beijing required t travelers to provide a negative nucleic acid result from 48 hours ahead of entry and a valid health code.