Shanghai "Aiming to Start City Reopening from Mid-Month"... Gradual Lockdown Easing

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Shanghai, the economic capital of China currently under city lockdown, has announced a goal to reopen the city starting from mid-month. This is the first time authorities have mentioned a lifting schedule since the long lockdown measures implemented during the recent COVID-19 outbreak in China.

Wu Qing, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, stated at a quarantine briefing on the 13th that the goal is to achieve 'social zero-COVID' by mid-month. He said, "Afterwards, we will implement orderly reopening, restricted movement, and effective control and management."

Recently, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Shanghai has begun to ease. Daily confirmed cases rose to about 27,000 last month but have recently decreased to around 2,000. The number of new infections in the 'social' areas, referring to general regions excluding quarantine and control zones, recorded 5, 0, 2, and 4 cases respectively over the past four days (9th to 12th).

Preparations are underway to transition to a constant defense system. At the briefing, Shanghai explained that it has established 9,900 COVID-19 PCR testing sites throughout the city, of which 5,700 are already operational.

However, Shanghai did not provide specific details about the schedule but mentioned at the briefing that transportation and offline operations of supermarkets, convenience stores, and department stores will gradually resume. Hair salons will also reopen gradually with limited capacity, and more surgery appointments will become available at hospitals. Priority will be given to resuming classes for final-year students in middle and high schools.

In addition, Chinese authorities are promoting a plan to establish numerous small-scale COVID-19 testing sites in all major cities nationwide, ensuring that all residents undergo COVID-19 testing at least once every two days.