‘It looks like the Berlin Wall has fallen’: Shanghai revived on Wednesday with the easing of numerous restrictions against COVID, after two months of grueling detention for 25 million residents and the economy.
China’s economic capital, the country’s most cosmopolitan city, has been locked in stages since late March in response to a nationwide outbreak, the worst since 2020.
After easing some restrictions in recent weeks, authorities since Wednesday have allowed residents of areas considered low risk to move freely in the city.
We have the impression that everyone has experienced a great trauma, a collective traumaexpresses theAFP Grace Guan, a 35 -year -old Shanghainese.
He said he went out at midnight on the streets, where many people were celebrating a beer in hand event. The Berlin Wall seems to have fallenhe summarizes.
Workers proceeded Wednesday to dismantle the tall yellow barriers surrounding the buildings. And the spectators, masked, are taking advantage of their first steps to freedom.
The famous historic Bund, along the Huangpu River that flows into the city, is alive with locals taking pictures in front of the iconic skyline of skyscrapers on the other side.
” This is the moment we have been waiting for “
Residents flock to metro stations and buses, which are reopening. Others chat in city parks, sometimes forming small groups.
For two months, the only thing to worry about is buying food. So now, I want to treat myself and buy clothestells toAFP Annie Xu, a 33 -year -old Shanghainese, in a luxury boutique.
Caution remains in order
However, malls, supermarkets and beauty salons can only operate at 75% capacity. Parks and tourist areas are gradually reopening.
Sports halls and cinemas remain closed and the reopening of schools will be carried out in each case. Wearing a mask remains mandatory.
But travel by taxi or private vehicle is allowed in low -risk areas.
However, authorities warn: the total return to normal is not so far and more than half a million people remain subject to restrictions on Wednesday.
For now, we must not neglect our vigilance, to combine our achievements in epidemic prevention and control.they taught.
Zero COVID approach
China continues to implement a zero-COVID health strategy, which includes the imposition of quarantines and lockouts once certain cases arise.
This policy prevented many deaths from COVID-19, but caused a severe blow to businesses. Shanghai City Hall agreed that accelerating economic and social recovery is even more urgent today.
Because if many factories and businesses reopen, some will remain closed.
Of course I have fears. But it is all beyond us […] You can’t plan anything with an epidemictold AFP Chen Ribin, owner of a cafe.
Who knows if it won’t come back in July or August? […] I think it will take us two or three months to get back to the level of activity we had before.he pointed out.
The Health Ministry on Wednesday reported only 15 new positive cases in Shanghai in the past 24 hours – compared to more than 25,000 as of the end of April.
Restrictions have been relaxed in favor of the collapse of the epidemic.
But Shanghainese in general can only go out a few hours a day at best and if they are in a neighborhood with no positive cases.
Many residents were outraged by problems with the supply of fresh produce and access to non-COVID medical care.
The Shanghai lockout is the second longest in China since the pandemic began. In 2020, Wuhan, the first city in the world to be affected by the epidemic, will last 76 days.
Source: Radio-Canada
