PCR Test Exemption for Public Transport Across China... "New Quarantine Measures to Be Announced as Early as the 7th"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Choi] Recently, regions in China have been gradually abolishing the requirement to submit negative results from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests when using public transportation.

According to Chinese media Yicai on the 5th, from the 2nd to the 4th, in addition to the four direct-controlled municipalities of Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Shanghai, cities such as Shijiazhuang, Guangzhou, Kunming, Nanning, Harbin, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Jinan, Nanchang, and Hangzhou announced eased quarantine measures related to citizen movement. These measures mainly involve abolishing the obligation to present negative PCR test results for public transportation.

Additionally, Shandong Province abolished mandatory PCR testing for arrivals starting from the 4th and decided not to require PCR test results for entry into public places or use of public transportation.

Hangzhou City changed its policy to stop conducting routine mass PCR testing and allow only those who wish to be tested to do so. Furthermore, except when entering special places such as nursing homes, primary and secondary schools, and kindergartens, PCR negative results will no longer be required for entry into public places, and the same measure applies to public transportation users.

There are also calls to downgrade the central government's level of response to COVID-19.

The Chinese government has so far implemented the highest level of management classified as "Category A" for COVID-19, but considering the characteristics of the latest variants, which are mostly asymptomatic or mild, voices are emerging to adjust it to "Category B," Yicai reported. The state-run media Yicai also reported last night, citing an anonymous health expert, that conditions have been created for China to lower the epidemic classification of COVID-19.

Reuters also reported, citing sources, that although authorities have managed COVID-19 under the epidemic response regulations for Category A, there is a possibility of lowering it to Category B starting January next year. Reuters added that authorities plan to announce as early as the 7th ten new supplementary measures to complement the 20 measures announced last month emphasizing "precision epidemic control."