Shanghai relaxed a number of Covid-19 restrictions on Wednesday, taking a step toward normalcy after a two-month lockdown that constrained residents to their residences and battered China’s economy. Since late March, when the Omicron virus variant fueled China’s worst epidemic since Covid first took hold in 2020, the commercial hub of 25 million people has been closed down in sections.
Following the gradual relaxation of some rules over the past few weeks, authorities began allowing residents in low-risk areas to freely move around the city on Wednesday.
“This is a moment we have been anticipating for a long time,” the Shanghai municipal government said that in a social media statement.
“As a result of the epidemic’s impact, Shanghai, a megacity, entered an unparalleled period of silence.”
People have been seen traveling on Shanghai’s subway and heading to office towers on Wednesday morning, while some shops were preparing to open.
Bright yellow obstacles that had hemmed in building structures and city blocks for weeks had been removed in many areas the day before.
The restrictions had wreaked havoc on the city’s economy, clogging supply chains in China and abroad, and signs of discontent among residents emerged throughout the lockdown.
According to Deputy Mayor Zong Ming, the easing will affect approximately 22 million people in the city.
Malls, convenience stores, pharmacies, and beauty salons will be permitted to operate at 75% capacity, while gardens and other scenic areas will gradually reopen, she added.
However, cinemas and gymnasiums remain closed, and schools, which have been closed since mid-March, will gradually reopen on a voluntary basis.
Bus, subway, and ferry services will also resume, according to transportation officials.
Taxis and private cars will also be permitted in low-risk areas, allowing people to visit family and friends who live outside their district.
Not yet normal
The city government, however, warned that the scenario was far from normal.
“At the moment, there is no room for complacency in consolidating epidemic prevention and treatment achievements,” it said.
China has maintained its zero-Covid strategy, which includes rapid lockdowns, mass testing, and lengthy quarantines in an attempt to completely eliminate infections.
The economic costs of that policy, however, have risen, and the Shanghai government declared on Wednesday that “the task of speeding up economic and social rehabilitation is becoming increasingly urgent.”
Chen Ying, an e-commerce professional, said ahead of the loosening that she would continue to work from home but might take her two-year-old son for a long-awaited walk outside.
“We should be free to begin with, so don’t expect me to be overjoyed now that they’ve returned it to us,” she told AFP.
After being idle for weeks, factories and business owners were also set to reopen.
