The southwestern city of Chongqing will allow close contacts of people with COVID, who meet certain conditions, to quarantine at home, while Zhengzhou in central China has allowed businesses including supermarkets, gyms and restaurants to “settle down” again. announced to start from
National health officials said this week authorities would respond to “urgent concerns” raised by the public and that COVID rules should be applied more flexibly according to field conditions.
reopen next year?
Expectations have risen worldwide that China, still trying to contain the infection, will reopen at some point next year once it has achieved better vaccination rates among its elderly.
Health experts warn of widespread illness and death if COVID is let loose before vaccination.
Chinese shares and markets around the world initially tumbled after weekend protests in Shanghai, Beijing and other cities but later recovered on hopes that public pressure could lead to a fresh approach from authorities.
More COVID outbreaks could weigh on China’s economic activity in the near term, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday, seeing room for a safe recalibration of policies that could spur economic growth in 2023.
China’s strict control measures have decimated domestic economic activity this year and spread to other countries through supply chain disruptions.
The Caixin/S&P Global Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index showed factory activity contracted for the fourth consecutive month in November, following downbeat data in an official survey on Wednesday.
While the change in tone on COVID appears to be a response to public discontent with the strict measures, officials are also seeking to question those present at the demonstrations.
The China Dissent Monitor, run by the US government-funded Freedom House, estimated that at least 27 demonstrations took place across China from Saturday to Monday. Australia’s ASPI think tank has estimated 43 protests in 22 cities.