China backs down on zero-tolerance on COVID 19 restrictions

China’s top Covid official has signalled a possible relaxing of the country’s strict zero-tolerance approach to the virus, after nationwide protests calling for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedom. Anger over China’s zero-Covid policy — which involves mass lockdowns, constant testing and quarantines even for people who are not infected — has sparked protests in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. But while authorities have called for a “crackdown” in the wake of the demonstrations, they have also begun hinting that a relaxation of the hardline virus strategy could be in the works. Speaking at the National Health Commission Wednesday, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said the Omicron variant was weakening and vaccination rates were improving, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency. Sun — a central figure behind Beijing’s pandemic response — said this “new situation” required “new tasks”. She made no mention of the zero-Covid policy in her latest remarks, suggesting an approach that has disrupted the economy and daily life might soon be relaxed. The comments came as the southern manufacturing-hub Guangzhou — the site of dramatic Tuesday night clashes between police and protesters — said it had partially lifted a weeks-long lockdown, despite seeing record virus cases. Officials on Wednesday eased restrictions to varying degrees in all of the city’s 11 districts, including Haizhu, where recent protests took place. With the exception of a number of designated “high-risk” neighbourhoods, the Guangzhou health commission said, “the rest will be managed as low-risk areas.”
As China reaches the third anniversary of the pandemic first being detected in the central city of Wuhan, its hardline approach to the virus has stoked unrest not seen since the 1989 pro-democracy protests. A deadly fire last week in Urumqi, the capital of the northwestern region of Xinjiang, was the catalyst for the outrage, with people blaming Covid curbs for trapping victims inside the burning building. But demonstrators have also demanded wider political reforms, with some even calling for President Xi Jinping to stand down. China’s strict control of information and continued travel curbs have made verifying protester numbers across the vast country very challenging.