Dynamic Zero

Recent clusters of confirmed COVID-19 cases across China are posing a challenge to the country’s fight against the virus. China, however, has no intention of changing its current policy to clear infections in timely and methodical manner.

The dynamic zero-COVID-19 policy does not denote zero infection. With the overarching goal of preventing imported infections and domestic flareups, this policy means that when a new local outbreak occurs, measures will be taken to promptly stem the spread of the virus and clear new infections. The gist is to cut off the spread of new infections as soon as possible, instead of risking the virus spinning out of control.

The essential reason for China to adopt this policy is that the Chinese Government prioritizes the safety and health of its people. A country with a huge, and dense, population, China still features inadequate per-capita medical resources, especially in the vast rural areas. Such national conditions determine that if the virus cannot be controlled at the very earliest, it will continue to spread nonstop. Not only will medical resources be overwhelmed, but infection, severe case and fatality rates, too, will soar. The dynamic zero-COVID-19 policy is a solution most in line with China’s actual conditions to address all these potential problems.

This is a low-cost epidemic prevention and control measure, with restrictions i mposed only on the community or building involved in a positive case. This way, the social cost remains low and the country can better balance COVID-19 prevention and control with economic growth. A major manufacturing power, China assumes responsibility for sustaining the global supply chain. The dynamic zero-COVID-19 policy factually enables China to continue energetic growth against the pandemic backdrop.

Entering the third year of the pandemic, some countries are starting to relax containment measures as time has dragged on and vaccination rates have boosted confidence.

Under the current circumstances, China must still balance its economic and social development while upholding COVID-19 prevention and control policies. The timing of lifting these measures requires an all-comprising evaluation of virus variation, spread and toxicity. Any policy adjustments should occur cautiously, not hastily. BR