Virus-hit Chinese city to reopen public cultural venues, stadiums

SHIJIAZHUANG — Public cultural venues and stadiums in the northern Chinese city of Shijiazhuang, hit by a recent COVID-19 resurgence, will resume operation on Feb 22, local authorities said on Feb 21.

Shijiazhuang will clear all medium- and high-risk areas for COVID-19 on Feb 22 and reopen public cultural venues including libraries, museums, and galleries under strict epidemic prevention and control measures, city officials said at a press conference.

Public cultural venues will require reservations in advance and cap the number of visitors to 50 percent, said Zhao Junfang with the city's bureau for culture, broadcasting, and tourism.

Ren Weiwei, head of the city's sports bureau, said open-air sports venues will be fully opened and indoor ones will cap the number of visitors.

Also on Feb 22, Shijiazhuang will allow restaurants to resume dine-in service, while requiring them to conduct regular ventilation and disinfection, shorten dining hours and provide serving chopsticks and spoons.

Customers will also be requested to undergo temperature scanning and wear masks before entering restaurants.