Chinese officials turn it around after wave of discontent that brought unprecedented protests
Beijing appears to be relaxing its strict zero-cases policy, easing some of the restrictions, as reported by Reuters.
The world’s second largest economy was tested by unprecedented protests, which were dealt with by the authorities with a cruelty that colonized by the West.
Following the angry backlash, several Chinese cities are lifting lockdowns and allowing businesses to reopen, although they are still reporting new cases.
The health authorities, who announced the relaxation of measuresdid not mention the protests, which have ranged from candlelight vigils in Beijing to clashes with police on the streets of Guangzhou and at an iPhone factory in Zhengzhou last week.
The large protests marked the biggest show of civil disobedience in mainland China since Xi took power a decade ago and come as the economy enters a new era of much slower growth than seen in decades.
Despite the increased number of cases, the deputy prime minister said the virus was weakening, state media reported.
“The country is facing a new situation in terms of epidemic prevention and control as Omicron’s pathogenicity weakens, more people are vaccinated and experience has been accumulated in containing the virus,” he said in comments reported on state media.
The above statement is in stark contrast to the previous messages of the Authorities.
The rules are changing
In less than 24 hours after violent protests in the city of Guangzhou, authorities in at least seven regions announced they were lifting lockdowns.
One district announced it would allow live classes in schools and the operation of restaurants and other businesses such as movie theaters.
Also, in an area with thousands of residents in Beijing, patients with mild symptoms were allowed to remain in isolation at home. Neighbors on the same floor and three floors above and below the home of the positive case should also be quarantined at home.
This is seen as a significant improvement from the strict protocols of the previous interval which saw entire communities locked down even for weeks upon detection of a single case.
The southwestern city of Chongqing will allow close contacts of people with COVID, who meet certain conditions, to self-quarantine at home, while Zhengzhou in central China announced the “orderly” resumption of business operations, including supermarkets, gyms and of restaurants.
Chinese health officials said authorities would respond to “urgent concerns” raised by the public and that the rules should be applied more flexibly.
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