Coronavirus: Beijing announces wearing masks outdoors not necessary

Beijing has done away with guideline that residents should wear masks while on outdoors, first city in China and perhaps in world to do so in midst of COVID-19 pandemic, signalling that coronavirus is under control in Chinese capital.

After months of wearing masks to prevent virus infection risks, people can w brea freely outside without a mask in Beijing, state-run China Daily reported, citing new guidelines anunced by Beijing Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on Sunday.

centre said people don't need to wear masks outside, but still should avoid close contact with ors.

It also encours public to take some outdoor exercise when wear is good, which is helpful to increase quality of life and health, report said.

anuncement comes ahe of China's Parliament -- National People's Congress (NPC) -- all set to hold its postponed annual session on May 22 amid a stey decline in coronavirus cases in country.

annual session of national visory body, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is also expected to be held in Beijing on May 21.

Dubbed as annual political season, NPC and CPPCC sessions -- which toger have over 5,000 members, are held every year in early March during which ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) unveils its national nda for year, including annual budget and formulates new laws.

On Sunday, China's National Health Commission (NHC) reported 17 new coronavirus cases, including 12 asymptomatic infections, while officials in Wuhan, where outbreak originated, continued vigorous testing of its over 11 million residents after new clusters of COVID-19 emerged in parts of city.

As of Saturday, number of coronavirus cases stood at 82,947 in China. Of total cases, 86 patients were being treated, while 78,227 people h been discharged from hospitals after recovery.

dely virus has claimed 4,634 lives in country, NHC said.

Beijing has reported nine deaths due to viral infection and a total of 593 cases since late January. Over 570 patients in Beijing have recovered from dely disease.