Relief and disbelief as Shanghai to start lifting COVID lockdown
2 years, 6 months ago

Relief and disbelief as Shanghai to start lifting COVID lockdown

ABC  

Shanghai authorities have begun dismantling fences around housing compounds and ripping police tape off public squares and buildings before a painful two-month lockdown is lifted at midnight. Key points: Shanghai is removing lockdown fences and police tape ahead of the midnight end to restrictions The two-month lockdown has caused severe financial stress for many residents Many are still wary of catching COVID and risking another lockdown On Monday evening, some of the people allowed out of their compounds for brief walks took advantage of suspended traffic to congregate for a beer and ice cream on deserted streets, but there was a sense of wariness and anxiety among residents. Julian MacCormac, chair of the British Chamber in China, said Shanghai brought COVID under control at "very significant personal and economic cost". "It's worth celebrating," said one volunteer at the testing site, who was more optimistic about COVID than those getting their noses swabbed.

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History of this topic

Is COVID making a return to China this winter?
1 year, 1 month ago

Is COVID making a return to China this winter?

Firstpost  

China’s leading respiratory illness expert Zhong Nanshan has warned of a minor COVID-19 surge in the winter and urged the elderly and vulnerable populations to get vaccinated as soon as possible Concerned about an increase of COVID-19 infections in the current winter season, Chinese experts have issued an alert and advised vaccination for vulnerable and old groups. The Chinese Centre …

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives
1 year, 9 months ago

Ignoring experts, China’s sudden zero-COVID exit cost lives

Associated Press  

BEIJING — When China suddenly scrapped onerous zero-COVID measures in December, the country wasn’t ready for a massive onslaught of cases. “It wasn’t a sound public health decision at all,” said a China CDC official, declining to be named to speak candidly on a sensitive matter. At a mid-April internal panel discussion recently made public by the Beijing-based Center for …

Chinese city-dwellers head to hometowns as holidays raise Covid stakes
1 year, 11 months ago

Chinese city-dwellers head to hometowns as holidays raise Covid stakes

India Today  

Passengers laden with luggage flocked to rail stations and airports in China's megacities on Monday, heading to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holidays that health experts fear could intensify a raging Covid-19 outbreak in areas less equipped to handle it. As well as fever drugs and oxygen supplies, China's National Health Commission has said it would equip every …

In China, zero-COVID policy to zero COVID policies
1 year, 11 months ago

In China, zero-COVID policy to zero COVID policies

The Hindu  

On December 20, almost two weeks since China’s sudden and unexpected scrapping of its stringent “zero-COVID” policy, the country officially reported a little over 3,000 COVID-19 cases. The Communist Party’s official People’s Daily, in the lead-up to the Congress, published three editorials on consecutive days, calling for “patience with current policies” and warning that “zero COVID must be adhered to”. …

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures
1 year, 11 months ago

Beijing threatens response to ‘unacceptable’ virus measures

Associated Press  

BEIJING — The Chinese government sharply criticized COVID-19 testing requirements imposed on visitors from China and threatened countermeasures against countries involved, which include the U.S. and several European nations. “We believe that the entry restrictions adopted by some countries targeting China lack scientific basis, and some excessive practices are even more unacceptable,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a …

70% of Shanghai's 25 million people may have had Covid: Top doctor
1 year, 11 months ago

70% of Shanghai's 25 million people may have had Covid: Top doctor

Hindustan Times  

At least 70 percent of Shanghai's population may have been infected with Covid amid China's massive surge in infections, a top doctor at one of Shanghai's hospital said, state media reported. Chen Erzhen, vice president at Ruijin Hospital and a member of Shanghai's Covid expert advisory panel, said that the majority of the the city's population- 25 million people- may …

Covid has infected over 70% population in this Chinese city in recent surge
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid has infected over 70% population in this Chinese city in recent surge

Live Mint  

Around 70% of Shanghai's total population has been infected by COVID during the recent surge in China, a senior doctor at one of Shanghai's top hospitals expressed recently as reported by the state media on Tuesday. "Now the spread of the epidemic in Shanghai is very wide, and it may have reached 70 percent of the population, which is 20 …

China's manufacturing activity drops despite lifted COVID restrictions
1 year, 11 months ago

China's manufacturing activity drops despite lifted COVID restrictions

Firstpost  

For more than two years, China had insisted on a zero-COVID strategy of stamping out outbreaks with strict quarantines, lockdowns and mass testing Beijing, China: China’s manufacturing activity contracted sharply in December for the third month in a row, according to official figures released Saturday, despite Beijing’s loosening of COVID restrictions at the beginning of the month. For more than …

China's manufacturing activity contracts ‘sharply’ in December despite lifted Covid restrictions
1 year, 11 months ago

China's manufacturing activity contracts ‘sharply’ in December despite lifted Covid restrictions

Hindustan Times  

China's manufacturing activity contracted sharply in December for the third month in a row, according to official figures released Saturday, despite Beijing's loosening of Covid restrictions at the beginning of the month. The Purchasing Managers' Index -- a key gauge of manufacturing in the world's second-biggest economy -- came in at 47 points, down from November's 48 and well below …

‘Real intention is to sabotage’: China calls Covid curbs for Chinese travellers ‘discriminatory’
1 year, 11 months ago

‘Real intention is to sabotage’: China calls Covid curbs for Chinese travellers ‘discriminatory’

Firstpost  

Countries including India, United States, South Korea, Italy, Japan and Taiwan have imposed mandatory COVID tests for travellers from China after the country reported spike in cases Beijing: Several countries have announced mandatory testing for travellers from China in response to a surging wave of Covid-19 infection in the Asian nation. For the unversed, India, United States, South Korea, Italy, …

China to lift Covid-19 travel restrictions after 3 years of coronavirus lockdown
1 year, 11 months ago

China to lift Covid-19 travel restrictions after 3 years of coronavirus lockdown

Hindustan Times  

Come January, China will practically abandon its three-year-old zero Covid policy and its international isolation, fully opening its airports and ports for travel and trade amid the massive coronavirus outbreak in the country. China to finally lift Covid-19 travel restrictions after 3 years of coronavirus lockdown Starting from January 8, China will cancel nucleic acid tests for international arrivals, the …

China’s workers return to office as cities live with COVID
1 year, 11 months ago

China’s workers return to office as cities live with COVID

Al Jazeera  

Commuters in Beijing and Shanghai are crowding roads and public transport as cities move past tough ‘zero-COVID’ policy. Mask-wearing Beijing and Shanghai commuters are crowding subway trains, with China’s two biggest cities moving closer to living with COVID-19, as millions have been infected with the virus across the country. The provincial government of Zhejiang, a big industrial province near Shanghai …

Shanghai asks residents to stay in on Christmas as COVID-19 cases surge in China
2 years ago

Shanghai asks residents to stay in on Christmas as COVID-19 cases surge in China

The Hindu  

Shanghai authorities urged residents to stay at home this weekend, seeking a toned-down Christmas in the nation's most populous city as COVID-19 rages nationwide after tough curbs were lifted. Infections in China are likely more than a million a day with deaths at more than 5,000 a day, in "stark contrast" to official data, British-based health data firm Airfinity said …

China Covid cases: 3 waves in 3 months this winter, say experts
2 years ago

China Covid cases: 3 waves in 3 months this winter, say experts

Hindustan Times  

Is the Chinese government losing control over COVID-19 management as the cases continue to increase in China? It is certain that the Chinese government was "under-prepared" as it decided to end its zero-COVID policy abruptly after people held protests across the country, The Hong Kong Post reported. Watch| Exhausted doctor collapses in China hospital amid Covid surge Wu Zunyou, the …

China wants Covid patients to go to work. The public isn’t so sure
2 years ago

China wants Covid patients to go to work. The public isn’t so sure

CNN  

A version of this story appeared in CNN’s Meanwhile in China newsletter, a three-times-a-week update exploring what you need to know about the country’s rise and how it impacts the world. Shift in priorities During the pandemic, local governments essentially had a “get-out-of-jail-free card” on their economic performance, said Ryan Manuel, founder of Bilby, a Hong Kong-based company that uses …

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs
2 years ago

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs

Hindustan Times  

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs Since China announced the rollback of its zero-Covid policy, Reuters has reported a rise in Covid-19 cases among a vulnerable, under vaccinated population with little natural immunity. It is believed that the end to mandatory testing has made the toll of China's Covid surge difficult to track.. …

Post Aggressive Lockdowns, China Lifts Up Restrictions
2 years ago

Post Aggressive Lockdowns, China Lifts Up Restrictions

The Quint  

China’s loosened COVID-19 policies – following years of aggressive lockdowns and quarantines – have left the country vulnerable The Chinese government has loosened restrictions designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. Kevin Frayer/Stringer via Getty Images After nearly three years of aiming to eliminate COVID-19 through mass lockdowns, robust contact tracing programs and international travel bans, the Chinese government has …

Beijing reports first Covid-19 deaths as China eases curbs, crematoriums run 24X7
2 years ago

Beijing reports first Covid-19 deaths as China eases curbs, crematoriums run 24X7

Firstpost  

China’s national health authority has not reported any official Covid-19 deaths since withdrawing many of its domestic restrictions on December 7. The last official deaths were reported on December 3, in Shandong and Sichuan provinces Beijing: Two former Chinese state media journalists have died in capital city Beijing recently due to Covid-19, local media reported on Friday, among the first …

A week into easing, uncertainty over China virus direction
2 years ago

A week into easing, uncertainty over China virus direction

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday said China’s …

China vows to drop some travel tracking in COVID rule easing
2 years ago

China vows to drop some travel tracking in COVID rule easing

Associated Press  

BEIJING — China said it would stop tracking some travel, potentially reducing the likelihood people will be forced into quarantine for visiting COVID-19 hot spots, as part of an uncertain exit from the strict pandemic policies that helped fuel widespread protests. The move follows the government’s dramatic announcement last week that it was ending many of the strictest measures, following …

China to drop travel tracing requirement as it relaxes strict 'zero-COVID' policy
2 years ago

China to drop travel tracing requirement as it relaxes strict 'zero-COVID' policy

Firstpost  

The move follows the government’s snap announcement last week that it was ending many of the most draconian measures Beijing: China will drop a travel tracing requirement as part of an uncertain exit from its strict “zero-COVID” policies that have elicited widespread dissatisfaction. The move follows the government’s snap announcement last week that it was ending many of the most …

Relaxing COVID-19 rules in China met with joy, frustration and apprehension
2 years ago

Relaxing COVID-19 rules in China met with joy, frustration and apprehension

ABC  

Beijing resident Kelly Zhuang was left fuming on Tuesday when — after nearly a week with COVID-19 — her health code turned red just as she got a negative RAT result. Drug supply warning as China eases COVID rules Photo shows A huge group of masked commuters waiting to enter a train As China relaxes its COVID-19 restrictions to allow …

Under China’s ‘zero COVID,’ uncertainty reigns and unsettles
2 years ago

Under China’s ‘zero COVID,’ uncertainty reigns and unsettles

Associated Press  

TAIPEI, Taiwan — As coronavirus cases rose in Shanghai earlier this year and the city’s lockdown stretched from weeks to months, Leah Zhang’s feeling of suffocation grew. “I cried to the point where I can’t trust anything anymore,” said Zhang, who asked to be identified by her English name out of fear of government retribution for discussing a sensitive topic. …

China’s looser anti-COVID measures are met with relief and caution
2 years ago

China’s looser anti-COVID measures are met with relief and caution

LA Times  

Residents of Beijing continue to get routine coronavirus tests despite China’s announcement that some stringent virus-control measures would be eased. People across China reacted with relief and caution Thursday to the dramatic government decision to loosen some of the world’s most stringent COVID-19 restrictions. “The opening is an irreversible trend in the future because most people have been vaccinated and …

China eases anti-COVID measures following protests
2 years ago

China eases anti-COVID measures following protests

Associated Press  

BEIJING — China rolled back rules on isolating people with COVID-19 and dropped virus test requirements for some public places Wednesday in a dramatic change to a strategy that confined millions of people to their homes and sparked protests and demands for President Xi Jinping to resign. Local officials must “take strict and detailed measures to protect people’s life, safety …

China scraps most covid-19 testing, quarantine requirements
2 years ago

China scraps most covid-19 testing, quarantine requirements

Live Mint  

China dropped many of its quarantine and testing requirements and curtailed the power of local officials to shut down entire city blocks, as the country’s leaders accelerate plans to dismantle zero-Covid controls in the wake of nationwide protests. The new rules announced by the State Council on Wednesday were a response to the public’s “strong reaction” to the failure of …

China announces roll-back of strict anti-COVID-19 measures
2 years ago

China announces roll-back of strict anti-COVID-19 measures

The Hindu  

In a sharp reversal, China has announced a series of measures rolling back some of the most draconian anti-COVID-19 restrictions. People who test positive for the virus will be able to isolate at home rather than in overcrowded and unsanitary field hospitals, and schools where there have been no outbreaks must return to in-class teaching. The announcement follows recent street …

China announces a rollback of its strict anti-COVID-19 measures
2 years ago

China announces a rollback of its strict anti-COVID-19 measures

NPR  

China announces a rollback of its strict anti-COVID-19 measures Enlarge this image toggle caption Andy Wong/AP Andy Wong/AP BEIJING — In a sharp reversal, China has announced a series of measures rolling back some of its most draconian anti-COVID-19 restrictions, including limiting harsh lockdowns and ordering schools without known infections to resume regular classes. China has sought to maintain the …

Photos: Daily life resumes as authorities ease Covid-19 restrictions in China
2 years ago

Photos: Daily life resumes as authorities ease Covid-19 restrictions in China

Hindustan Times  

Photos: Daily life resumes as authorities ease Covid-19 restrictions in China China’s capital Beijing dropped the mandatory requirement to produce negative Covid test reports to enter supermarkets and offices on December 6 following the historic protests against the restrictions, last month. China reported 5,235 Covid related deaths as of December 5.. 1 / 8 View Photos in a new improved …

China’s Beijing eases COVID curbs after rare protests
2 years ago

China’s Beijing eases COVID curbs after rare protests

Al Jazeera  

Authorities in Chinese capital will no longer require negative COVID test to enter supermarkets, commercial buildings. China’s capital Beijing is no longer requiring a negative COVID-19 test to enter supermarkets and commercial buildings, local authorities have said, in the latest loosening of the country’s tough “zero COVID” strategy following rare protests. The loosening of restrictions comes after at least a …

China eases controls, gives no sign when ‘zero COVID’ ends
2 years ago

China eases controls, gives no sign when ‘zero COVID’ ends

Associated Press  

BEIJING — China is easing some of the world’s most stringent anti-virus controls and authorities say new variants are weaker. … Restrictions could still tighten dynamically in lower-tier cities should hospitalizations surge.” The changes follow protests demanding an end to “zero COVID” but are in line with Communist Party promises earlier to reduce disruption by easing quarantine and other restrictions. …

China’s COVID trap - The Hindu
2 years ago

China’s COVID trap - The Hindu

The Hindu  

The Chinese government seems to be caught between a rock and a hard place as it looks to navigate a way out of its current COVID-19 troubles. China’s government on Tuesday said it would ease some measures as well as launch a new push to vaccinate the elderly—a key step that would enable an eventual easing of the unpopular “zero-COVID” …

China may pivot a tad more on Covid measures as Xi Jinping faces crisis: Report
2 years ago

China may pivot a tad more on Covid measures as Xi Jinping faces crisis: Report

Hindustan Times  

China may announce 10 new COVID-19 management measures as early as Wednesday, Reuters reported. The new measures will supplement the 20 measures unveiled in November that set off a wave of Covid-easing steps across the nation, the report said. China may eventually downgrade its management of Covid-19 as a top-level Category A infectious disease to a less strict Category B …

China eases controls, gives no sign when 'zero-Covid' ends
2 years ago

China eases controls, gives no sign when 'zero-Covid' ends

The Hindu  

China is easing some of the world’s most stringent anti-virus controls and authorities say new variants are weaker. Restrictions could still tighten dynamically in lower-tier cities should hospitalizations surge.” The changes follow protests demanding an end to “zero-Covid” but are in line with Communist Party promises earlier to reduce disruption by easing quarantine and other restrictions. China faces “new situations …

Covid testing stations shut as China lifts restrictions on major cities
2 years ago

Covid testing stations shut as China lifts restrictions on major cities

India Today  

China has lifted restrictions on major cities in the backdrop of massive protests in Beijing and other cities sparked by an apartment fire. But some Beijing residents have complained that even though the city has shut many testing stations, most public venues still require Covid tests. China's social media on confusion as China begins to ease on COVID-zero: Many PCR …

More Chinese cities ease COVID curbs but full reopening unlikely
2 years ago

More Chinese cities ease COVID curbs but full reopening unlikely

Al Jazeera  

Shanghai, Urumqi are the latest to ease COVID-19 curbs following last month’s unprecedented anti-government protests. At least a dozen cities across China have eased COVID-19 restrictions following a wave of unprecedented protests last month, with Shanghai becoming the last metropolis to scrap tests for public transport and Urumqi reopening malls and restaurants for the first time in months. In China’s …

China eases some controls but gives no sign when ‘zero COVID’ might end
2 years ago

China eases some controls but gives no sign when ‘zero COVID’ might end

LA Times  

Residents in Beijing line up for coronavirus testing next to a wall slogan extolling the political philosophy of Chinese President Xi Jinping. … Restrictions could still tighten dynamically in lower-tier cities should hospitalizations surge.” The changes follow protests demanding an end to “zero COVID” but are in line with earlier Communist Party promises to reduce disruption by easing quarantine and …

Major cities in China ease COVID-19 restrictions after protests
2 years ago

Major cities in China ease COVID-19 restrictions after protests

Al Jazeera  

Shenzhen and Beijing will no longer require public transport commuters to present negative test results as authorities ease COVID-19 restrictions in the wake of mass protests. Chinese authorities are continuing to ease COVID-19 restrictions, with several cities including Shenzhen and Beijing no longer requiring negative tests to take public transport. The moves come even as daily COVID-19 infections in China …

China further relaxes COVID-19 restrictions after protests
2 years ago

China further relaxes COVID-19 restrictions after protests

The Hindu  

Cities across China further unwound COVID restrictions Friday, loosening testing and quarantine rules in the wake of nationwide protests calling for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedoms. A number of cities have also begun loosening COVID restrictions, such as moving away from daily mass testing requirements – a tedious mainstay of life under Beijing's stringent zero-COVID policy. Social …

Have protests pushed China to step away from its zero-COVID policy?
2 years ago

Have protests pushed China to step away from its zero-COVID policy?

Firstpost  

After following the strictest zero-COVID policy since the outbreak of the virus, China has signalled a shift, with some cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing and Chongqing lifting curbs. On Wednesday, Sun Chunlan, China’s vice-premier and also the person overseeing the country’s COVID response, said the country is entering a “new stage and mission” in its coronavirus fight — a clear …

‘New-found freedom’: China relaxes COVID rules after protests
2 years ago

‘New-found freedom’: China relaxes COVID rules after protests

Al Jazeera  

Local governments are allowing positive coronavirus cases to quarantine at home – a marked departure from current zero-COVID rules. A number of cities also began loosening COVID restrictions, such as moving away from daily mass testing requirements – a tedious mainstay of life under Beijing’s stringent zero-COVID policy. Social media footage posted on Thursday night showed dozens of people clashing …

China official signals easing of COVID rules after protests
2 years ago

China official signals easing of COVID rules after protests

The Hindu  

After days of unprecedented protests against three years of stringent COVID-19 restrictions, Chinese authorities have this week signalled a pathway towards gradually easing some of the measures and a change in policy. The top official in charge of the pandemic policy, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, in a meeting held on Wednesday with scientists of the National Health Commission and with …

Covid restrictions abruptly lifted in China’s Guangzhou and Chongqing after protests
2 years ago

Covid restrictions abruptly lifted in China’s Guangzhou and Chongqing after protests

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy China seems to be softening …

China eases virus controls amid effort to head off protests
2 years ago

China eases virus controls amid effort to head off protests

Associated Press  

BEIJING — More Chinese cities eased anti-virus restrictions and police patrolled their streets Thursday as the government tried to defuse public anger over some of the world’s most stringent COVID measures and head off more protests. While experts say Beijing’s policies are unsustainable, they warn it can’t relax controls that keep most travelers out of China until tens of millions …

China set to ease Covid rules after protests
2 years ago

China set to ease Covid rules after protests

Hindustan Times  

China appears likely to relax some of its strict ‘zero-Covid’ rules after rare protests in several cities last weekend called for an end to strict Covid curbs, a senior Chinese official’s comments and reports indicated on Thursday. Vice-premier Sun Chunlan, the senior-most Chinese official overseeing Covid-control strategies, said the country’s battle against Covid-19 “requires a new approach as the Omicron …

What’s next for China’s anti-lockdown protests?
2 years ago

What’s next for China’s anti-lockdown protests?

Al Jazeera  

On Thursday, December 1 at 19:30 GMT: Nearly three years into the pandemic, China continues to enforce strict lockdowns under its “zero-COVID” strategy. Public anger over COVID restrictions has erupted into protests in major cities, and while China has kept its case numbers low compared to other nations, critics including the World Health Organization, believe that government measures have been …

EXPLAINER: Why are China’s COVID rules so strict?
2 years ago

EXPLAINER: Why are China’s COVID rules so strict?

Associated Press  

BEIJING — At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China set out its “zero-COVID” measures that were harsh, but not out of line with what many other countries were doing to try and contain the virus. That may seem strict, but prior to updated regulations earlier this month, travelers needed to take two PCR tests before flying and quarantine for …

Why are China’s COVID rules so strict?
2 years ago

Why are China’s COVID rules so strict?

Firstpost  

While most other nations saw the health and safety regulations as temporary until vaccines were widely available, however, China has stuck steadfastly to its strategy BEIJING — At the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China set out its “zero-COVID” measures that were harsh, but not out of line with what many other countries were doing to try and contain the …

China moves to curb protests, some COVID measures adjusted
2 years ago

China moves to curb protests, some COVID measures adjusted

Al Jazeera  

Heavy police presence on streets of protest cities after an unprecedented outpouring of anger over harsh curbs. Police in China have moved against protests taking place in multiple cities across the country, as authorities in some areas began to modify the harsh COVID-19 restrictions that are fuelling the unrest. The Urumqi blaze led to protests in multiple cities across China, …

China’s government doubles down on zero-COVID as anger grows
2 years ago

China’s government doubles down on zero-COVID as anger grows

The Hindu  

China’s government on November 28 doubled down on its controversial “zero-COVID” strategy amid unprecedented protests against lockdowns in many Chinese cities. BBC Statement on Ed Lawrence pic.twitter.com/wedDetCtpF — BBC News Press Team November 27, 2022 The protests have come amid a COVID-19 wave with more than 40,000 cases reported on Monday. A commentary in the official Xinhua news agency called …

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