This spread of COVID-19 is the first significant outbreak since the beginning of the pandemic. The impact was visible in an upscale shopping district, where the usually bustling shops and restaurants were practically empty, functioning in some cases on skeleton crews or offering only takeout. Similar scenes are happening across Beijing, with offices and shops reporting being understaffed or shifting work arrangements as employees either have become ill or stayed home to avoid being infected. Source: Spike in COVID-19 Cases in Beijing Leaves Workplaces Empty