BEIJING (AP) — Chinese authorities announced a further easing 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 easing of testing requirements comes despite daily coronavirus infections reaching near-record levels and following last weekend’s protests across the country, by angry residents tired of the tight antivirus restrictions of a pandemic that is entering the its fourth year, while the rest of the world has lifted preventive measures.
The tech manufacturing hub in southern Shenzhen announced on Saturday that users will no longer need to show a negative COVID-19 test result to use public transport or to enter pharmacies, parks and tourist attractions.
Meanwhile, Beijing authorities said on Friday that tests will no longer be required for public transport starting Monday. However, a negative result obtained in the last 48 hours will still be required to enter places such as shopping centres, which have gradually reopened with many restaurants and cafes providing takeaway services.
The requirement has prompted complaints from some Beijing residents that while the city has closed many COVID-19 testing centers, most public places still require them.
The government has reported 33,018 infections within the country in the past 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, in place since the start of the pandemic, has led to rapid lockdowns and mass testing across the country.
China still imposes a mandatory quarantine on travelers entering the country, even though 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 Nov. 25 after a fire at an apartment building in the northwestern city of Urumqi killed at least 10 people.
This triggered angry questions on social media about whether firefighters or victims trying to escape found themselves trapped by locked doors or other virus checks. Authorities have denied it, but the deaths have become a focus of public frustration.
The country has seen several days of protests in cities including Shanghai and Beijing, with protesters calling for an easing of COVID-19 restrictions. Some have called for the resignation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, a stunning display of public dissent in a society over which the ruling Communist Party exercises near-total control.
