The Odd Ins and Outs of Community Entry Rules Amid Covid
For the past few weeks, we’ve been seeing messages in our Safe & Sane groups about requirements for entering one’s community.
This is in regards to regulations enacted at the community level that basically restrict outside folks from entering, and require some form of pass for residents. The issue is, it’s kinda hard to pinpoint how to deal with it.
What works for one community might not work for another. For instance, Tuanjiehu just unveiled an “electronic entry card” mini-program for use in communities within the area, and kuaidi and waimai drivers cannot enter communities without a pass as well.
The new entry card in my community can only be added by scanning the QR below the jiankangbao code, pictured here
Other communities are doing things differently – from doing ID checks to just jiankangbao checks to simply having an honor system and letting people in who are known residents, be they foreign or otherwise.
Some of these setups work for foreigners, whereas others – like the Tuanjiehu entry card thing, which seemingly only allows Chinese ID holders to register – are a little harder to work around.
So what's one to do if their community is actively enforcing these rules and it's hard to enter and exit? I got off a little easy in my case. When I told the guard at the front gate my situation, he told me to just scan my jiankangbao and head on through. But what if there's further issue?
First of all, don't panic.
Instead, it's best to figure out who's in charge, i.e. get in touch with your neighborhood committee (居委会 jūwěihuì) or property management (物业 wùyè). They can either be found in an office within the community or via a community WeChat group. Contact them – or get a Chinese friend to help – notify them of your situation, and see what can be done.
The new QR joins the list of others used for entering places in Covid times
Most of the time, you can also try telling the guards your situation and they will let you pass (as was my case). If the problem persists though, the community management is a good contact to have, just in case.
If you have any other Covid questions or you just want the shimmy on what's really going down with Covid in Beijing, with all the up-to-date info by the day, be sure to join one of our Safe & Sane groups on WeChat by adding TBJ Butler via the QR below and request to be added in to one of the groups.
Have you had any issues with entering your community recently? Let us know in the comments how you handled it.
READ MORE
How Hard Is It To Visit the Liangma River Now?
Images: Vincent R. Vinci
advertisement
Top Stories This WeekBeijingers Are Buzzing About