Beijing residents, traveling outside their city, are not allowed to return to the capital as authorities tighten COVID-19 measures in response to a rising number of cases in 16 provinces. Authorities announced Nov. 1 that Beijingers who had left the city should not come back any time soon. “If you have not yet returned to Beijing, please postpone your return to Beijing and cooperate with local prevention and control measures,” the Beijing Municipal Health Commission announced. The restriction measures reportedly caught many traveling Beijingers off guard, especially those who had a negative nucleic acid test certificate earlier within the required time of 48 hours. Social media posts reflected dissatisfaction over the orders among those traveling outside their city and an article titled “Why can’t I return to Beijing after I leave Beijing, stuck in a closed-loop” was widely circulated. The Beijing authorities also requested that residents not leave the city …