Chinese cities begin to ease Covid restrictions

Hours after people clashed with riot police in Guangzhou, will China loosen the rules of its “Covid Zero” policy?

Despite a surge in cases, some Chinese cities have moved to cut testing requirements and quarantine rules ahead of a possible change in nationwide virus policy.

However, these uneven easing continues to spark fear among some residents, who are suddenly feeling more vulnerable to a disease that authorities have consistently described as deadly until this week. In recent days, there have been dozens of protests in more than 20 cities. Massive movements unprecedented in mainland China since President Xi Jinping came to power in 2012.

More optimistic messages from the authorities

The Chinese are increasingly critical of the “zero Covid” policy championed by President XI. A policy that led to a fall in domestic consumption, a fall in production and a blockage of exports.

To calm the discontent, Beijing may decide to relax quarantine and testing requirements in the country. This will include reducing mass testing, as well as measures to allow positive cases and close contacts to self-isolate at home under certain conditions. In addition, the authorities are making more optimistic reports. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chunlan, who oversees efforts to combat COVID-19, said this week that the virus’s ability to cause disease is waning.

On the ground, a residential area in east Beijing sent out a notice saying that people who are not socially active, such as the elderly and infants who are not housebound, no longer need to be regularly tested. In Guangzhou, for example, catering services and residents are no longer asked to present negative PCR tests for entry. In Chongqing, a wide range of businesses, from hairdressers to gyms, were allowed to reopen this week.