People have dinner in a hot pot restaurant in Beijing on December 7, 2022. Photo: VCG

Beijing further optimized its COVID-19 response on Wednesday night following the release of new measures by China's State Council on Wednesday afternoon. The city's authorities said that more than 63 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine have now been taken.

Negative nucleic acid testing results are no longer needed to enter cinemas in Beijing. With many popular films including Avatar: The Way of Water to be screened in the upcoming weeks, more viewers are expected go to the cinema.

At the same time, the purchase of railway tickets to Beijing will no longer be subject to restrictions, while the Beijing Capital International Airport just announced that it will no longer check health codes for travelers entering the airport.

During Wednesday night's news conference, Xu Hejian, spokesperson for the Beijing government, said that 63.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the capital city.

According to data for 2021, Beijing has 21.89 million permanent residents.

Beijing also announced a series of other COVID-19 response optimization details, after the State Council, China's cabinet, released the new measures to further optimize the response to COVID-19, accelerating the lifting of restrictions in high-risk areas and promoting vaccination rates among the elderly, in order to further strike a balance between anti-epidemic work and social and economic development.

Travelers entering Beijing are no longer required to hold a negative COVID-19 test result or a green health code. The previous requirement of "three COVID tests within three days after arrival" has also been removed, said the Beijing authorities on Wednesday night.

The railroad authorities announced on Wednesday night that passengers will no longer face ticket purchase restrictions if the destination is Beijing.

Beijing's other new adjustments include scrapping negative nucleic acid test result and health code requirements for most public venues, as well as allowing those who are infected but who have no symptoms or mild symptoms to be quarantined at home.

Beijing also said that it will not stop offering free nucleic acid testing for members of the public who are in need of it.