People cross a street on bikes in Beijing on June 1, 2020. (NOEL CELIS / AFP)

BEIJING - Beijing will lower its emergency response to the novel coronavirus epidemic from the second level to the third one starting Saturday, a local official announced Friday.

The third emergency response level is the second lowest.

Prevention and control measures will be adjusted accordingly, said Chen Bei, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing municipal government, at a press conference.

Prevention and control measures will be adjusted accordingly, said Chen Bei, deputy secretary-general of the Beijing municipal government

Beijing will lift purchasing restrictions on plane and train tickets for people from the central province of Hubei, including those from the provincial capital Wuhan, except those from medium- and high-risk areas. Beijing will no longer require permits for those entering the capital city from Hubei via highways.

People from Hubei province, including those from Wuhan, will no longer need to quarantine for 14 days or go through collective observation after arriving in Beijing, and people from these areas currently under quarantine or observation in Beijing can be discharged, according to Chen.

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People entering Beijing from Wuhan will not need another nucleic acid test as long as they have a test result proving their negative status. However, nucleic acid tests will still be required if they cannot provide such proof.

Residential compounds will no longer need to take people's temperatures, although registration is still needed, Chen said.

Companies that provide daily necessities and those companies providing services can resume production under complete control and prevention measures.

In the tourism sector, meanwhile, Beijing will allow domestic group tours under proper conditions, except those from medium- and high-risk areas. Inbound and outbound group tours will remain suspended.

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Parks, tourist sites and public indoor venues will allow more visitors under strict prevention-and-control measures. Some events, such as conferences, exhibitions, sports matches and entertainment shows, can be held under strict prevention-and-control measures, according to the municipal government.

Schools can resume classes in an orderly manner, and masks will not be required for outdoor activities.

The city will also allow people from other areas to visit hospitals in Beijing in an orderly and restricted manner, except those from medium- and high-risk areas.

The Chinese capital lowered its emergency response to COVID-19 from the top level to level II on April 30.