China makes sudden policy shift on zero-Covid, but ‘no clear picture’ of what’s next
- Mass testing and quarantine requirements have been dismantled and use of the health code system reduced after protests against the controls
- It’s been welcomed by foreign investors and raised hopes the borders will soon reopen, but there is also uncertainty over a potential surge in cases
The sudden policy shift has been welcomed by foreign investors and raised hopes that borders will soon reopen to international travellers – though officials on Wednesday would not say when that might happen.
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China further eases pandemic restrictions in latest step towards reopening after zero-Covid
The 10-point plan unveiled on Wednesday followed last month’s 20-point guidelines to fine-tune the policy – they aimed to make it less disruptive to the public and the economy, but have not been consistently implemented.
Under the new plan, anyone who is infected and has mild or no symptoms can now isolate at home, as can their close contacts, instead of being sent to a quarantine facility.
Meanwhile, polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, tests will only be required for people living and working in high-risk areas. Everyone else will be encouraged to use RATs, or rapid antigen tests, instead of having to regularly line up at testing sites.
Negative PCR test results and health codes are no longer required for most public venues and on public transport, though they will still need to be shown to enter hospitals, schools and aged care homes.