Customers returned to Beijing restaurants on Monday for the first time in more than a month, after the authorities relaxed epidemic prevention measures in the Chinese capital, after having eradicated a small outbreak of Covid-19.
Museums, cinemas and gyms were allowed to operate, but limited to 75% capacity.
The return to normality occurred throughout the city, except in one district. Schools partially reopened but returned to full normal on June 13, followed by kindergartens on June 20.
The authorities carried out several rounds of massive and confined tests in buildings and residential complexes where cases of contagion of the new coronavirus were detected.
In total, the outbreak in the Chinese capital, which has 22 million inhabitants, added 1,800 cases in six weeks.
The ruling Communist Party remains committed to the ‘zero cases’ Covid-19 strategy, despite the mounting economic and social costs.
Chinese president calls for insisting on zero Covid-19 case policy
Shanghai, recognized as the economic “capital” of China, with a population of 25 million people, underwent a total lockdown for two months.
The city reopened last week, but restaurants remain closed except for home delivery.
A neighborhood carried out a new round of tests on Monday after finding new cases in a residential complex, which was closed for 14 days.
In Beijing and Shanghai, to access public transport, office buildings or shopping malls, it is necessary show a negative test result taken within the previous 72 hours.
In Shanghai, organizers have decided to postpone the Shanghai International Film Festival, scheduled for this month, to next year.
Source: Observadora
