China relaxes rules but doesn’t indicate when “zero-Covid” willcease

Authorities claim that new virus varieties are weaker, and China is relaxing some of the
strictest anti-virus measures in the world. However, they have not yet indicated when they
could abandon the “zero-Covid” plan, which has driven millions of people indoors, sparked
unrest, and sparked calls for President Xi Jinping to step down. Industrial hubs, such as
Guangzhou, which is close to Hong Kong, have eased most restrictions on travel and
reopened markets and companies while maintaining them in areas with infectious
neighbourhoods.
As a prerequisite for lifting “zero-Covid” restrictions that keep the majority of visitors out of
China and have hampered industrial and international trade, the authorities last week revealed
plans to immunise millions of people in their 70s and 80s.
That sparked hopes for “zero-Covid” to cease quickly. However, health professionals and
economists caution that before vaccination rates are high enough and hospitals are ready to
handle a potential outbreak of illnesses, it won’t be until around 2023 or possibly 2024.