Beijing coronavirus outbreak: city raises emergency level and grounds hundreds of flights

All movement in and out will be strictly controlled as dozens more test positive in new flare-up

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China's capital has raised its emergency level as dozens of new coronavirus cases emerged and residents were barred from any unessential" travel outside Beijing following a new outbreak of the virus that is yet to be brought under control.

Hundreds of flights were cancelled, schools suspended and all residential compounds ordered to reinstate strict screening after authorities raised the city's four-tiered Covid-19 emergency response level from three to two on Tuesday evening. All movement in and out of the city will be strictly controlled, officials said at the briefing.