[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As Chinese authorities take steps to abolish the 'Zero COVID' policy symbolized by lockdowns and quarantines, some regions including the capital Beijing and Guangzhou have decided to switch COVID-19 testing from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to rapid antigen tests.
According to the Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 2nd, Beijing authorities instructed hospitals the previous day not to turn away patients who do not present a PCR negative certificate obtained within 48 hours.
Instead, patients visiting hospitals must undergo rapid antigen testing and, depending on the results, may enter different areas within the hospital. Children under 2 years old are exempt from PCR testing and their caregivers’ test results will be accepted instead.
This measure follows Beijing’s earlier announcement that it would not require frequent PCR testing for elderly people, infants, telecommuters, and others who do not regularly engage in external social activities.
Until now, in China, a PCR negative certificate obtained within 24 to 48 hours was required for attending school, going to work, shopping, dining out, etc., and in case of infections, mass PCR testing targeting tens of millions of people was often conducted.
Guangzhou in Guangdong Province also announced the previous day that it would not conduct mass PCR testing for all residents in districts. Instead, close contacts subject to quarantine will be precisely classified, and only those in high-risk groups will undergo regular testing. Residents are advised to prepare rapid antigen test kits at home.
Chengdu in Sichuan Province also announced that residents only need a green health code instead of a PCR negative result to enter public places such as public transportation.
China’s health code consists of three traffic light colors: red, yellow, and green, with green indicating no infection.
SCMP reported, "After Chinese authorities announced 20 precise epidemic prevention measures on the 11th of last month to minimize lockdowns in COVID-19 affected areas and reduce disruptions to economic and social activities, some major cities have decided to reduce PCR testing."
It added, "Following protests across the country last weekend, Chinese authorities are accelerating fine-tuning of the Zero COVID policy to comply with these 20 measures."
Since protests against Zero COVID occurred in various regions and universities across China from the 25th to 27th of last month, local governments have successively announced lockdown lifts and other measures.
SCMP explained, "Although the authorities have not officially acknowledged the protests, they stated they will continue to study and adjust COVID-19 restrictions," and noted, "After nearly three years of desperate battles against COVID-19 and sacrificing millions of lives, and criticism of the West’s choice of 'With COVID' policy, China’s rhetoric is subtly shifting."
The Chinese Communist Party’s official newspaper, the People’s Daily, published an analytical article citing many health experts on the same day, suggesting that confirmed cases should be allowed to isolate at home. This implies a change from the previous regulation that sent all confirmed cases without exception to government-designated quarantine facilities.
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