Beijing, Shanghai ease COVID restrictions as outbreaks fade


PTI, May 29, 2022, 1:14 PM IST

Shoppers returned to the malls of Beijing on Sunday as the Chinese capital relaxed pandemic restrictions after declaring a small but persistent COVID-19 outbreak effectively under control.

A partial reopening of stores and offices in Beijing was welcomed by a weary populace and struggling shopkeepers eager for life to return to normal.

Coupled with a gradual easing of restrictions in Shanghai, it signalled that the worst is over in the twin outbreaks in China’s most prominent cities.

The lockdowns and other restrictions under China’s “zero-COVID” strategy have increasingly frustrated residents as they see other countries ease up and re-open their borders.

Some have resisted and staged protests at apartment complexes and university dormitories, in an authoritarian country where people think twice about speaking out publicly because of possible repercussions.

Restaurants remain closed in Beijing, except for takeout and delivery, and many people in Shanghai still can only go out with special passes and for a limited time period, even as the number of new cases has plummeted.

Officials tend to err on the side of caution under a system that readily punishes them for lax enforcement if outbreaks flare up or come back.

China recorded 293 new cases on Saturday, of which 78 were among people who had arrived from overseas.

Shanghai had the most non-imported cases, with 122, and Beijing had 21. That’s in a population of more than 20 million people in both cities.

Beijing allowed public parks, gyms and cinemas to reopen on Sunday, all at 50 per cent of their capacity. A portion of the Great Wall in a rural part of Beijing, about 60 kilometres from downtown, reopens to visitors on Monday.

Xu Hejian, a city spokesperson, said on Saturday that sporadic cases are still being found in some districts, but they are within a controllable range. “This round of outbreak has been put under effective control,” he said.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Rohit Bal: The Valley boy who strode to great heights in fashion

Jaishankar to visit Australia, Singapore from Nov 3-8

Kadaba: Scooter rider’s death in tree fall – Public protests, demands removal of hazardous trees

Bantwal: Old video of elderly woman bursting firecrackers in hand goes viral

3rd Test: India strike early after taking slender lead against New Zealand at tea on day 2

M’luru: Rajasthan Duo busted in Amazon order scam; goods worth Rs. 11.45 Lakh seized

BJP to hold statewide protest against alleged land seizure by Waqf board

Related Articles More

Trump pits Americans against one another, US deserves better: Kamala Harris

Will end economic disaster of Kamala Harris, launch brand new Trump economic miracle: Donald Trump

‘Kamala, you are fired’, thunders Trump as race for White House remained razor-tight

‘Kamala, you are fired’: Donald Trump at Wisconsin rally

At least 64 people die in devastating flash floods in eastern Spain, officials say

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Kejriwal promises to waive inflated water, electricity bills if AAP returns to power in Delhi

Rohit Bal: The Valley boy who strode to great heights in fashion

Jaishankar to visit Australia, Singapore from Nov 3-8

Kadaba: Scooter rider’s death in tree fall – Public protests, demands removal of hazardous trees

Bantwal: Old video of elderly woman bursting firecrackers in hand goes viral

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.