SHANGHAI, May 28 (Reuters) – China will ease COVID-19 health restrictions in areas of Beijing deemed low risk from Sunday, and Shanghai is also preparing to gradually return to normal life, authorities said on Saturday. .
In the Beijing districts of Fangshan and Shunyi, teleworking will no longer be compulsory, they specified during a press conference.
Public transport (buses, metros and taxis) will operate normally again in three districts and shopping centers will be allowed to reopen in certain areas.
However, the return to normal for some businesses is still delayed, particularly with regard to private lessons, cybercafes and karaok bars, the authorities added.
Beijing reported 1,716 infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19 between April 22 and Saturday afternoon.
Shanghai, for its part, is preparing to come out of the confinement instituted two months ago on Wednesday, in the wake of the easing of certain restrictions announced last week.
People have been allowed out of their homes and businesses have been able to reopen, although most residents are staying at home and shops are just making deliveries.
Officials in the megalopolis have called for vigilance, even though the vast majority of its 25 million inhabitants live in “prevention” areas where the risk is low.
“Wear masks in public, no gatherings, and observe social distancing,” said Zhao Dandan, deputy director of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, at his daily press briefing. (Shanghai office report; French version Claude Chendjou and Elizabeth Pineau)