Shanghai announced Tuesday that it would ease anti-Covid restrictions for the week. This is a further step towards the complete lifting of the two-month-old confinement, which infuriates 25 million people and strangles their economy.
To deal with an epidemic on a national scale that had erupted at the end 2019 and the worst since then, the Chinese economic capital was restricted in stages starting in March.
China, unlike many other countries, continues to use a zero Covid strategy. This includes imposing quarantines as soon as possible and keeping people in their homes to prevent them from dying.
The town hall announced Tuesday that residents in low-risk areas will be allowed to travel freely within the city starting Wednesday, after having eased several restrictions over the past weeks. Zong Ming, one Shanghai’s deputy mayors said that this milestone will allow for the release of 22 million people.
She stated that “the city will enter a third phase (of desconfinement) starting at midnight Wednesday with a gradual but complete return to normal”
Convenience stores, beauty salons, pharmacies, and convenience stores will be able operate at 75% of capacity. Sports halls and cinemas will continue to be closed. Schools will be reopened on a case by case basis.
Private cars and taxis will be allowed to return to traffic on roads in low-risk areas. Public transport will resume on Wednesday.
Travel restrictions will continue to apply to those who live in high-risk areas. The city’s shutdown has severely affected the economy and negatively impacted production as well as consumption. It also caused serious disruption to supply chains.
