Monitoring Desk
BEIJING: China on Friday further unwound Covid-19 restrictions, relaxing testing and quarantine rules after the country-wide protests calling for an end to the lockdowns.
Covid-19 Restrictions:
The protesters also called for greater political freedom. Anger and frustration with China’s hardline pandemic policies spilled onto the streets days back in the widespread demonstrations not seen even in decades.
China’s security apparatus sprang into action deploying a heavy police presence, to control the rallies while enhancing the online censorship and surveillance of the people. According to the reports, a number of cities have now started relaxing Covid-19 related curves such as doing away with daily mass testing. But still, there are reports of sporadic localized clashes. A social media footage on Thursday night showed many people clashing with health workers in Hubei province as parents pleaded to take their children home. Another video showed several police officers at the scene. Government officials have signaled a broader relaxation of the zero-COVID-19 policy.
Relaxation in rules
In continuation with the relaxation in the rules, the government also said on Friday that a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours would no longer be required for using public transport in the city. China has seen multiple deaths after treatment was delayed due to the Covid-19 restrictions. Such deaths became a rallying cry during the protests.
