In Pictures

In Pictures: New cases force lockdown around Beijing food market

China’s capital raced to control a fresh coronavirus outbreak linked to a wholesale food market in Beijing.

epa08484447 Paramilitary police officers wearing protective face masks stand guard next to the closed Xinfadi market, in Fengtai district, Beijing, China, 14 June 2020. One of Beijing''s largest market — Police officers stand guard next to the closed Xinfadi market in Fengtai district, Beijing. [Roman Pilipey/EPA]

China’s capital raced to control a new coronavirus outbreak on Monday, as 75 cases appeared, linked to a wholesale food market in Beijing where authorities locked down neighbourhoods and launched a massive test-and-trace programme.

The outbreak in China, where the disease first emerged last year, had largely been brought under control until more cases were detected in the capital last week.

Beijing has begun mass testing workers from the Xinfadi food market, as well as those who live nearby and anyone who visited it in recent weeks.

Officials have said they plan to carry out virus tests on 46,000 residents in the area. More than 10,000 people have been tested already.

Several cities have warned their residents not to travel to Beijing.

Authorities are also stepping up efforts to trace people who have visited the Xinfadi market, with companies and neighbourhood communities messaging staff and residents to ask about their recent movements.

A police officer wearing a face mask is seen outside an entrance of the Xinfadi wholesale market, which has been closed for business after new coronavirus infections were detected, in Beijing, China J — Xinfadi is the biggest wholesale market in Beijing, accounting for most of its farm produce supply, both domestic and imported. It was closed for business after new coronavirus infections were detected. [CNS Photo via Reuters]

A police officer stands on duty as people wearing protective face masks to help curb the spread of the new coronavirus stand watch behind a barricade line after several residential buildings was locke — Several residential buildings were locked down following the detection of the first positive cases at the market. Beijing has reinstated measures to control the spread of the coronavirus amid a new outbreak. [Andy Wong/AP Photo]

Workers arranges vegetables at the closed Xinfadi Market in Beijing on June 14, 2020. - The domestic COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak in China had been brought largely under control through strict lockdo — Workers sort vegetables at the closed Xinfadi market. [Noel Celis/AFP]

A security personnel wearing a protective suit checks the temperature of people entering the Xinfadi market in Beijing on June 14, 2020. - The domestic outbreak in China had been brought largely under — Security personnel check the temperature of people entering the market. [Noel Celis/AFP]

A woman stands behind a fence as she waits for the delivery of goods she ordered online in the Yilanyuan residential area which is under lockdown after a new COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak near the clo — A woman in the Yilanyuan district waits for the delivery of goods she ordered online, under lockdown after the new COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak at Xinfadi market. [Noel Celis/AFP]

Workers in protective suits check people''s names on the list who were either living surrounding the Xinfadi wholesale market or have visited to the market to get a nucleic acid test at a stadium in Be — The capital has begun mass-testing workers from the Xinfadi market, as well as people who live nearby and anyone who visited it in recent weeks. [Andy Wong/AP Photo]

A policeman wearing a protective suit stands watch people living surrounding the Xinfadi wholesale market arrive to get a nucleic acid test at a stadium in Beijing, Sunday, June 14, 2020. China is rep — Officials have said they plan to administer tests to 46,000 residents in the area. More than 10,000 people have been tested already. [Andy Wong/AP Photo]

BEIJING, CHINA - JUNE 14: A woman wears a protective mask as she looks at her nucleic acid test results at a hospital on June 14, 2020 in Beijing, China. Beijing has found 43 new coronavirus cases w — A woman looks at her nucleic acid test results at a hospital in Beijing, China. Beijing found 43 new coronavirus cases within three days, marking the first time in two months that the number of new infections has risen. [Lintao Zhang/Getty Images]