Apparently, the Chinese leadership is now responding to the nationwide protests against the strict zero-Covid policy. On Friday, the test and quarantine obligation was relaxed in many places. President Xi Jinping, during his visit to Beijing, said European Council President Charles Michel that the omicron variant allows for “more openings”.
The population is “frustrated” after three years of the pandemic, according to EU officials. The demonstrators were mainly students or young people. China’s strict pandemic management and related lockdowns have sparked a nationwide wave of protests. What started as protests against the strict measures soon turned against President Xi and the Communist Party in general. Demonstrations took place across the country over the weekend, and a strong police presence initially prevented further protests. Skirmishes continued in some places.
Health experts call for home quarantine
Speaking in the state newspaper People’s Daily on Friday, several health experts advocated for those infected to be isolated at home rather than exclusively in state facilities as before. A district in Beijing announced that those who tested positive there would no longer have to go to state institutions. In Dongguan in the south and Shenzhen in the southeast, infected people are also allowed to self-isolate at home “under certain conditions”, the authorities said.
Mandatory testing is also being relaxed in many cities. In Beijing, health authorities called on hospitals to treat people without a negative PCR test. Since Friday, a negative test result is no longer required for public transport in the capital. In the southwestern metropolis of Chengdu, negative corona tests for staying in public places or using the subway are no longer necessary since Friday – it is enough to show an app that confirms that you have not been in a “risk area”. Many Chinese cities also opened restaurants, shopping centers and schools despite the increasing number of infections.
Lockdown since early August
In northwest Urumqi, where a house fire that killed 10 people sparked nationwide anti-lockdown protests, authorities announced the phased opening of supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and ski resorts on Friday. With its more than five million inhabitants, the city is one of the places in China that has been affected by corona measures for the longest time. Some areas have been closed since early August.
The authorities are still cracking down on the protests. Online censorship and mass surveillance are central elements of the security forces.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
