Shoppers looking to take a break from the endless monotony that is Beijing on quarantine were sorely disappointed this week when they dropped by Ikea only to find the furniture sections completely cordoned off with warning tape.

Having long been the destination of choice to kill an afternoon, and perhaps take a cheeky nap, Ikea is not taking any risks when it comes to customers unwittingly cross infecting each other by lounging around the beds and sofas, reports Beijing News.

So much so that some of the showrooms now look more akin to a murder scene.

Other products were simply adorned with signs asking people not to spend too long lounging.

Despite the signs, some were overcome by the overpowering need to test the goods.

As well as cordoning off select showrooms, Beijing's Siyuanqiao and Xihongmen outlets are using tape to a maintain one-meter divide between queueing shoppers. Employees are also on guard to check temperatures before people can enter the store. Shoppers are also unable to use the elevators.

Those hungry for Swedish meatballs, on the other hand, will be happy to hear that the cafeteria is also open for business.

The new restrictions come following the reopening of Ikea's China stores on Mar 8, which had been closed since Jan 30 due to the virus.

Shoppers in Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, and Shanghai have been granted access to Ikea's TMall store – the first time that Ikea has ever sold its products through a third party. For us Beijingers, however, it may be another six months until we get the same treatment.

If there's one upside to all this, it's that customer numbers are said to be down by around 70 percent so if you're on the lookout for a new mattress or a replacement to the nth French press you've broken this year (pro tip: just buy a stainless steel one), now is the time to visit.

The Swedish furniture giant has had a long and storied history in China – including reports of exploding glassware, former employees turned thieves, and children's toys named after convicted war criminals – and it doesn't seem like a year goes by without a rumor of the store having to ban people from taking advantage of their incredibly comfy fittings. This time, however, the kaibosh on kipping is very much real.

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Photos: Zhang Jie/Beijing News