(221130) -- BEIJING, Nov. 30, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan listens to experts' opinions and suggestions on improving epidemic containment measures at the National Health Commission, Nov. 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

China signals possible zero-Covid relaxation

*with Xinhua/AFP


China’s top Covid official has signalled a possible relaxing of the country’s strict approach to the virus.

Speaking at the National Health Commission Wednesday, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan said the Omicron variant was weakening and vaccination rates were improving, according to Xinhua news agency.

Sun — a central figure behind Beijing’s pandemic response — said this “new situation” required “new tasks”.

She said the country is facing a new situation and new tasks in epidemic prevention and control as the pathogenicity of the Omicron virus weakens, more people are vaccinated and experience in containing the virus is accumulated.

Sun urged efforts to further optimize the COVID-19 response, improve diagnosis, testing, treatment and quarantine measures, strengthen immunization of the whole population, particularly the elderly, and step up the preparation of medications and other medical resources. 

Over the past three years, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council have always put people’s health and safety first, and effectively dealt with the uncertainties of the COVID-19 situation with a consistent strategy and flexible measures to fight the virus, Sun noted, as quoted by Xinhua.

These remarks came as authorities in the Guangdong provincial capital of Guangzhou had announced the relaxation of a number of Covid restrictions on Wednesday, following reports of new anti-lockdown protests in Guangzhou on Tuesday night, according to witnesses and footage.

Protests were held in major Chinese cities over the weekend against Covid lockdowns, which also included voices calling for greater freedoms.

Meanwhile Bloomberg reports that Beijing will allow some virus-infected people to isolate at home, starting with residents of its most-populous district.