Covid restrictions eased in Chinese capital
Beijing, Jun 5 (EFE).- The Beijing authorities announced Sunday the relaxation of some of the restrictions imposed several weeks ago to stop the latest outbreak of covid in the Chinese capital.
From Monday, the city will allow the reopening of restaurants – where in May only take-away food was allowed -, while elementary and secondary students will return to school from Jun 13.
The measures will not apply to Fengtai District and some parts of Chaoyang District, where covid cases were detected in recent days.
According to the health authorities, Beijing has not recorded fresh cases for seven consecutive days – except in quarantine centers where detected infections remain isolated – thus bringing the possibility of a move towards normalization.
Those who wish to enter enclosed areas or use public transport must present a negative coronavirus test carried out in the previous 72 hours.
The easing of covid restrictions against the omicron variant in the Chinese capital comes days after the eastern metropolis of Shanghai did the same on Jun.1 after more than two months of strict confinement.
China’s National Health Commission reported Sunday the detection of 33 cases from local contagion – apart from asymptomatic infections – in the last 24 hours.
China, which maintains a policy of “zero tolerance” towards Covid-19, has witnessed a wave of outbreaks attributed to the omicron variant in the last three months, causing a record number of infections not seen since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020.
The total number of active infections in mainland China now stands at 1,405, of which 65 are in serious condition.
According to official figures, China has recorded a total of 217,679 cases and 5,226 deaths from the coronavirus during the pandemic. EFE
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