‘Ferocious’ Covid outbreak in Beijing traced to raucous bar

Cluster comes week after city eased restrictions, raising fresh concerns over zero Covid' policy and economy

Authorities in Beijing are racing to contain a Covid-19 outbreak traced to a 24-hour bar known for cheap liquor and big crowds, with millions of people facing mandatory testing and thousands under targeted lockdowns.

The outbreak of nearly 200 cases linked to the Heaven Supermarket bar, which had just reopened as curbs in the Chinese capital eased last week, highlights how difficult it will be for China to make a success of its zero Covid" policy as much of the rest of the world tries to live with the virus.