by Casey Hall and Brenda Goh
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Shanghai, the economic capital of China, was to end this Tuesday at midnight with a strict two-month confinement against the epidemic of COVID-19, a very trying strategy for the population which has undermined the economy.
The authorities have started to dismantle the fences around the housing projects and to remove the tapes deployed by the police around the squares and public buildings for “the return to normal”, however relative, scheduled for June 1.
The prolonged isolation has fueled the exasperation of the population of this city of 25 million inhabitants and provoked extremely rare demonstrations of protest.
The “zero COVID” policy has also disrupted supply chains in China, impacting international trade.
On Wednesday, no more passes to leave home, public transport will operate normally and residents can return to work.
“It’s a day we’ve been dreaming of for a very long time,” Yin Xin, spokesman for the Shanghai government, told reporters.
“Everyone has made great sacrifices. This day has been hard won, and we must cherish and protect it, and welcome back the Shanghai we know well and have missed.”
Restrictions will be eased for around 22.5 million people in low-risk areas.
Residents should, however, always wear a mask and avoid gatherings. Dining inside restaurants is prohibited. Stores can operate at 75% capacity. Gyms will reopen later.
Residents will be required to undergo a test every 72 hours to take public transport and enter public places. Severe quarantine is still in place for anyone who has contracted COVID and their close contacts.
Shanghai reported 31 COVID-19 cases on May 30, down from 67 the previous day, reflecting the downward trend seen across China, with fewer than 200 infections in the country.
(Reporting David Stanway, Winni Zhou, Brenda Goh, Yifan Wang, David Kirton, Albee Zhang, Stella Qiu and offices in Beijing and Shanghai, writing Marius Zaharia, French version Lou Phily, editing by Sophie Louet)