China signals exit of ‘zero cases’ after protests by covid-19
According to the Xinhua report, Vice Premier Sun Chunlan, who is responsible for fighting the epidemic, stated in a meeting with experts from the National Health Commission that small and gradual changes should be made to the restrictive measures.
While the Omciron variant was first claimed to be “more contagious but caused fewer deaths” at the meeting, it should be noted that the wording of “zero cases” was not included in the news about the meeting.
Sun affirmed that given the new situation that has arisen with the decrease in the pathogenicity of the virus with the Omicron variant and the spread of vaccination, prevention and control measures should be optimized in accordance with the new reality in light of the experience acquired.
Sun, who did not mention an adaptation strategy with the virus, stressed that the measures must continue, saying: “Testing, diagnosis, treatment and quarantine measures must be constantly improved, the immunity of the entire population, especially the elderly, must be strengthened. , and the supply of medicines and medical resources for treatment must be accelerated,” he said.
Sun’s emphasis on gradual tightening of controls has been taken as a sign that the Chinese administration is looking for a way out of the so-called “case zero” strategy of strict control measures.
On the other hand, the steps to relax control measures and movement restrictions in many cities where partial quarantines are implemented also point to a trend in this direction.
The southern cities of Guangcou and Chongqing have lifted partial lockdowns in “high-risk” areas, while those in close contact with the cases can isolate at home.
In some cities, such as Shijiazcuang, Cingcou and Chingdu, testing requirements and movement restrictions have been relaxed.
After 10 people lost their lives in the fire that broke out in the supposedly quarantined apartment last week in Urumqi, the center of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, protests and reactions erupted in many cities across the country against the restrictions on the Covid-19.
“CASE ZERO” POLICY
The number of cases has risen in China since the fall due to outbreaks caused by highly contagious subvariants of Omicron.
According to data from the National Health Commission, in the last 24 hours, 4,150 cases with signs of disease and 31,911 cases without symptoms were detected in mainland China.
Despite the small number of cases compared to the population and most of them with no signs of disease, China continues to implement strict epidemic control measures called “zero cases.”
The strategy, aimed at suppressing Covid-19 cases where they arise and cutting the chain of transmission, requires strict and large-scale measures such as quarantine, travel restrictions, mass testing, restriction or maintenance of closed-loop activities of companies in manufacturing. , trade and services sector. In addition to interfering with the normal flow of life, the measures also generate discussions in terms of their economic costs.
While most countries have adopted strategies to live in some harmony with the virus and avoid control measures that disrupt the flow of life and economic activities, China continues with the restrictive measures it has applied since the beginning of the epidemic. . (AA)