Chinese authorities announced a further relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions on Saturday, meaning major cities like Shenzhen and Beijing will no longer require negative tests to take public transportation.
The slight relaxation of testing requirements comes despite daily coronavirus infections reaching near-record levels and after last weekend’s protests across the country, from residents angry and tired of the rigid anti-virus restrictions of a pandemic that is now entering its fourth year, while the rest of the world has lifted preventive measures.
The southern Shenzhen technology manufacturing hub announced on Saturday that users will no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 test result to use public transportation or to enter pharmacies, parks and tourist attractions.
Meanwhile, authorities in Beijing reported Friday that tests will no longer be required for public transportation starting Monday. However, a negative result obtained within the last 48 hours will still be required to enter places such as shopping malls, which have gradually reopened with many restaurants and cafes providing takeout services.
The requirement has prompted complaints from some Beijing residents that even though the city has closed many COVID-19 testing centers, most public places still require them.
The government reported 33,018 infections within the country in the last 24 hours, including 29,085 without symptoms.
As the rest of the world has learned to live with the virus, China remains the only major nation still sticking to a “zero COVID” strategy that aims to isolate all infected people. The policy, which has been in place since the pandemic began, led to quick lockdowns and mass testing across the country.
China still imposes a mandatory quarantine for travelers entering the country, even as its infection numbers are low compared to its population of 1.4 billion.
The recent demonstrations, the largest and most widespread in decades, erupted on November 25 after a fire at an apartment building in the northwestern city of Urumqi killed at least 10 people.
That triggered angry questions on social media about whether the firefighters or victims trying to escape found themselves trapped by locked doors or other virus checks. Authorities denied that, but the deaths became a focus of public frustration.
The country saw several days of protests in cities including Shanghai and Beijing, with protesters demanding an easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Some have called for the resignation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, an extraordinary display of public dissent in a society over which the ruling Communist Party exercises near total control.
