29. May 2022
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The Chinese metropolis of Shanghai has announced further easing of the strict measures in the fight against the corona virus. After weeks of closure, a shopping center in the city center opened on Sunday, which offers luxury brands, among other things. From Wednesday onwards, the lockdown, which lasted two months, is to be essentially lifted in the economic and financial metropolis, which is home to around 25 million people.
The current epidemic situation has stabilized and continues to improve, Shanghai government spokeswoman Yin Xi told press on Sunday. The strategy is now normalized precaution and control. This would make the test determinations easier from Monday.
From Wednesday, anyone who wants to use public transport or enter public space must present a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours. Previously it was 48 hours. This should make it easier to resume work, spokeswoman Yin said. Bus services are expected to fully resume around the city’s main airport and main financial center by Monday. 240 financial institutions are scheduled to reopen on Wednesday. Important manufacturers from the automotive, chemical and semiconductor industries, among others, have been allowed to produce since the end of April.
In March, Shanghai imposed a lockdown due to a flare-up of corona infections. Public life was shut down in two stages by April 5th. Around 100 corona cases were recorded in Shanghai on Sunday. For comparison: In the capital Beijing there were 21. This reflects a nationwide downward trend in the number of infections. No deaths related to the virus have been reported in China.
In Beijing, some museums, libraries, theaters and fitness studios were reopened to visitors on Sunday – although the number of people is limited and this only applies to districts in which no new corona case has been registered for seven days in a row.
The announced easing comes amid massive economic damage from lockdowns in Shanghai and elsewhere. Across the country, property sales in April fell at their sharpest rate in 16 years, while industry slowed output, retail sales slowed and investment growth was weaker-than-expected. The unemployment rate in China has soared to its highest level in more than two years. Some economists even expect that the world’s second largest economy after the USA could shrink in the current second quarter.
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