Cities begin easing curbs
But joy not universal as some areas remain under lockdown
BEIJING: Some communities in Chinese cities where Covid-19 is still spreading are easing off on testing requirements and quarantine rules ahead of an expected shift in virus policies nationwide after widespread social unrest.
The uneven relaxation of Covid restrictions is, however, fuelling fear among some residents who suddenly feel more exposed to a disease authorities had consistently described as deadly until this week.
Pharmacies in Beijing say purchases of N95 masks, which offer a much higher degree of protection than the single-use surgical type, have gone up this week.
Such cautious behaviour bodes ill for consumer-facing businesses and factories in large Covid-hit cities whose workers are hoping to stay virus-free at least until they return to their families in the countryside for the Lunar New Year.
Anger over the world’s toughest curbs fuelled dozens of protests in more than 20 cities in recent days.
Less than 24 hours after clashes in Guangzhou, the city lifted lockdowns in at least seven districts.
But the uneven easing of rules around the city is causing other kinds of trouble for its residents.
“I am leaving on holiday tomorrow and had to search for a place to get a Covid test because I still need a 48-hour code to get to the airport but most of the testing stations have been removed,” said a diplomat at a foreign consulate in Guangzhou.
Some areas in Guangzhou resumed dine-in services, and residents are no longer asked to present negative PCR tests to enter.
In nearby Shenzhen, some people will be allowed to quarantine at home. About a thousand kilometres to the west, in Chongqing, a wide range of businesses were allowed to resume this week.
At the same time, many communities in areas designated as high risk by various cities remain under lockdown.
“The uplifted mood isn’t universal,” the Guangzhou-based diplomat said. “Although a lot of people are enjoying newfound freedom, it’s worth noting that there are still hundreds of high-risk zones that are locked down throughout the city.”