Beijing colour codes city buildings to show worker vaccination levels

Beijing is colour-coding its city buildings in the financial district to show what percentage of workers have received their COVID-19 vaccination, in a move to speed up the city’s vaccination rollout. 

Green circular signs are put up at buildings where over 80% of staff have received their vaccinations. Yellow signages are for immunisation rates of workers from 40% to 80%, while red signs indicate that fewer than 40% of staff have been vaccinated. 

Many buildings in the financial district have organised on-site immunisation drives to make it easier for staff to receive their shots, although no penalties have been announced for low vaccination rates, reports Bloomberg. 

Beijing’s move to sign its buildings tap on a system the government introduced last year that requires people to show a green code before they can enter most public venues, which include restaurants, hotels and shops. Green, in this case, would signify that they are at a low risk to COVID-19 exposure. 

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China aims to vaccinate 40% of its total population, or about 560 million people by end-June. Unless people provide a medical reason, those working at state-owned enterprises, party members, and college students are required to receive their jabs. 

The government is also incentivising people to receive their jabs by promising small gifts and free rides to those who do.