Beijing has introduced new Covid-19 curbs to stamp out a “serious” outbreak as the Chinese capital maintains its strict zero-tolerance policy, reports AFP.

China's leading epidemiologist Zhong Nanshan says that authorities can contain a nationwide outbreak within a month — but also warn the “pandemic cannot be eradicated within a short period of time”.

The outbreak has hit at least 14 of China's provinces and millions have been tested in the past week.

The situation is “serious and complex” and the epidemic “is still developing rapidly”, Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission, told a press conference.