Beijing residents going out in public won't have to wear a mask from Thursday, August 20, CNN reports citing new government guidelines, as long as they aren't in close contact with other people.

The Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control released the new rules on Thursday, the latest sign that China's coronavirus epidemic is under control.

China reported just 22 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours on Friday, with no new infections reported in Beijing.

Under the new rules, residents in the Chinese capital only have to wear masks if they are going to have "close contact with other people."

Children should be accompanied by adults and encouraged to use proper hygiene, while spitting is not allowed.