China's Beijing Ends 'Zero-COVID' After 68 Days... Quarantine Period for Overseas Arrivals Shortened

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Chinese government announced that Beijing, China, which had imposed strict lockdown measures due to the spread of COVID-19, has regained a 'zero COVID' status with no new infections reported for the first time in over two months.

According to the National Health Commission of China on the 28th, zero new infections were recorded in Beijing the previous day. This is the first time in 68 days since April 21 that no new infections have been reported in Beijing. The Beijing municipal government judged that the spread had stabilized and resumed in-person classes for elementary, middle, and high school students and reopened major tourist sites starting from the 27th. However, quarantine policies such as suspension of underground sports facilities, a 50% limit on dining capacity inside restaurants, and the requirement to present a negative PCR test certificate within 72 hours when entering public places remain in place.

Shanghai also reported zero new infections the previous day, regaining zero COVID status after two days, according to the Chinese government. Shanghai had achieved zero COVID on the 25th but reported four new cases on the 26th.

Chinese quarantine authorities, judging that COVID-19 has entered a stable phase, announced a partial relaxation of quarantine policies with the release of the "COVID-19 Prevention and Control Plan (9th edition)." The authorities adjusted the quarantine rules for close contacts and overseas arrivals from the previous '14+7' (14 days centralized quarantine and 7 days self-quarantine) to '7+3' (7 days centralized quarantine and 3 days self-quarantine).

The criteria for designating high-, medium-, and low-risk areas will also be unified instead of applying different standards by region. The authorities stated that if no new infections occur in a high-risk area for one week, it will be downgraded to a medium-risk area, and if no new infections occur in a medium-risk area for three consecutive days, it will be downgraded to a low-risk area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.