Beijing tentatively returns to normal after China eases its “zero covid” policy.

Beijing, the capital of China, offered only tentative signs on Thursday of a return to normalitya day after the announcement of a general easing of health restrictions that have been in place for nearly three years.

After weeks with many businesses and schools closed, vehicular traffic has swept through the streets of Beijing it was just half the usual, confirmed an AFP reporter.

Public transportation, especially buses, was far from full, and some were nearly empty.

“There are really no more people this morning than in previous days, before the restrictions were lifted. It’s very calm. I think people are still afraid to go out“said the manager of a Starbucks coffee shop.

few cases

The country has faced a wave of coronavirus infections in recent weeks, even if the number of infected is residual compared to the Chinese population: Thursday 21,165 new cases among 1.4 billion people.

However, after last month’s demonstrations of popular fatigue, the national health authorities restrictions were eased on Wednesday hoping to revive the economy, suffocated by the “zero covid”.

Among the announced measures are the end of systematic and large-scale PCR tests, the possibility of home self-isolation for less severe cases of covid and a more limited use of confinements.

Nor will a negative test from the last 24 hours be required to travel between provinces, but it will be required to enter restaurants and cafes.

It has also changed the discourse of the authorities, which they underline the less harmful nature of the omicron variant. And the expression “zero covid” is gradually disappearing from his vocabulary.

Change of habits

But changing habits takes time. Although the number of people in PCR testing centers scattered across Beijing decreased on Thursday, there were still inhabitants queued for about 10 minutes on average.

“I came to get tested because someone in my office tested positive. I hope I haven’t caught covid,” Chen Min, 28, told AFP.

Behind him, Zhang Lan, a food delivery man, went to get tested why “It’s a company request” not to infect customers.

In line, many work in hotels and restaurants.

At a nearby mall, the crowd still hasn’t shown up and the cinema has not reopened. And at the door, the security officer checks the visitors’ health pass, but no longer requires that they have a negative PCR test result.

At Gaoji Pharmacy, a constant stream of customers comes asking for medicines for colds and fevers, now accessible without the need to present an identity document or a negative PCR test.

Given the increase in infections, the inhabitants want to have medicines heal if they catch covid-19.

“We have run out of supplies of this type of medicine. We don’t even have vitamin C”explains Sun Qing, an employee.

“For two or three days, people felt there was going to be a relaxation, so they came to buy cold and fever medicine,” she says.

“Some, unfortunately, bought much more than they needed.That’s enough for a year!”exclaims the pharmacist, who anticipates that a limit will soon be imposed on the purchase of these products.

AFP agency

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