Shanghai, China’s most populous city, will also put an end to many of the conditions imposed on businesses. The city has also put in place measures to support its economy, such as reducing some car purchase taxes and speeding up the approval of real estate projects.
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“We will fully support and organize the resumption of work and business production in various industries and fields,” Vice Mayor Wu Qing told reporters, adding that other “unreasonable” restrictions on COVID will be lifted in companies.
Shanghai in April began publishing “whitelists” of major manufacturers in the automotive, life sciences, chemicals and semiconductor industries that were able to resume operations. However, many of the priority companies had vendors who were unable to reopen.
Many industry executives also complained about COVID’s onerous restrictions, as they needed to find dormitories for staff trying to isolate themselves and implement rigorous disinfection. Most shops in the city are still closed.
All “whitelists” would be abolished, Wu said.
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Today, many residents have remained largely confined to housing complexes and most shops have only been opened for delivery service. Private cars cannot leave without permission and most public transport has been closed.
Beijing also opens
In the Chinese capital, Beijing, libraries, museums, theaters and gyms were allowed to reopen on Sunday, albeit with limited numbers, in districts that have not seen COVID cases in the community for seven consecutive days.
Fangshan and Shunyi districts will put an end to work rules from home, while public transportation will be largely resumed in both districts, as well as in Chaoyang, the largest in the city. Food in the restaurant is still banned throughout the city.
Shanghai reported just over 100 new cases of COVID on Sunday, while Beijing reported 21, both in line with a downward trend across the country.
China’s economy has shown signs of recovery after a fall in April, but activity is weaker than last year and many analysts expect a second-quarter contraction.
The strength and sustainability of any recovery will largely depend on COVID, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant will be difficult to eliminate.
Reuters