Kids in China's capital now must show negative COVID test to go to a park

Beijing — While much of the world tries to get back to something resembling normal, the draconian coronavirus control measures imposed under China's so-called "dynamic zero-COVID" policy seem only to extend more broadly across every aspect of daily life. Now, even kids looking to play outside in Beijing have to prove they're virus-free.

An announcement posted online Tuesday by the government agency that operates Beijing's public parks said children over three years of age would henceforth need to provide negative PCR test results from within the past 72 hours to use playgrounds. Adults have long had to cope with similar requirements to use parks, but especially with kindergartens across Beijing shuttered since late April, the new restriction will be a headache for many parents.

In mainland China's major cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, regular COVID tests have become a part of daily life. The "72-hour negative test result" is required not just to enter parks, but to use any closed, shared space — everything from movie theaters to supermarkets and office buildings. Nobody can even go to work without a fresh test.