Beijing will take steps to loosen COVID-19 curbs on businesses and public venues, state-backed Beijing Daily reported on Monday, amid mounting frustration and economic losses in the Chinese capital.
China has stuck to its zero-COVID policy, which aims to stamp out all outbreaks through mass testing and strict lockdowns, even as much of the world has shifted to managing the virus.
Beijing Daily reported that starting Tuesday night, indoor venues such as gyms, cinemas, and museums can operate at up to 75% capacity, up from the current 50%, provided they implement additional virus prevention measures.
In the past two weeks, Beijing has reported only a handful of new symptomatic daily COVID-19 cases. The last reported death from COVID-19 in Beijing was in May.
The move comes as the city battles an economic slowdown. Beijing’s economy expanded by just 0.7% in the first half of the year, compared with a 2.5% growth in the first half of 2021.
The city has also been hit by a wave of public anger over the strict COVID-19 curbs, which have caused widespread disruption to daily life and livelihoods.
Last week, residents in several Beijing neighborhoods clashed with police as they protested against a lockdown imposed after a single COVID-19 case was detected in their compound.
Beijing Daily said the city will also allow some public venues, such as parks and scenic spots, to reopen, but with restrictions on the number of visitors.
The city will also relax some travel restrictions, including allowing people from low-risk areas to enter Beijing without a negative COVID-19 test, the newspaper said.
The easing of curbs is a sign that Beijing may be gradually shifting away from its strict zero-COVID policy, which has been a major drag on the Chinese economy.
However, it is unclear whether the loosening of restrictions will be enough to appease public anger and revive the city’s economy.
Beijing residents have been expressing growing frustration with the strict COVID-19 curbs, which have caused widespread disruption to daily life and livelihoods.
Last week, residents in several Beijing neighborhoods clashed with police as they protested against a lockdown imposed after a single COVID-19 case was detected in their compound.
The easing of curbs is a sign that Beijing may be gradually shifting away from its strict zero-COVID policy, which has been a major drag on the Chinese economy.
However, it is unclear whether the loosening of restrictions will be enough to appease public anger and revive the city’s economy..
