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What is China's zero Covid policy and what are its rules? | What is China's zero Covid policy and what are its rules? |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Demonstrations have broken out across China over the government's strict lockdown measures. | Demonstrations have broken out across China over the government's strict lockdown measures. |
Protesters are calling for rules to be eased, even though China is seeing a surge in cases. | Protesters are calling for rules to be eased, even though China is seeing a surge in cases. |
What are China's lockdown rules? | What are China's lockdown rules? |
China has one of the toughest anti-Covid regimes in the world. Measures include: | China has one of the toughest anti-Covid regimes in the world. Measures include: |
Local authorities must impose strict lockdowns - even if only a handful of Covid cases are found | Local authorities must impose strict lockdowns - even if only a handful of Covid cases are found |
Mass testing is carried out in places where cases have been reported | Mass testing is carried out in places where cases have been reported |
People with Covid are isolated at home, or placed under quarantine at government facilities | People with Covid are isolated at home, or placed under quarantine at government facilities |
Businesses and schools are closed in lockdown areas | Businesses and schools are closed in lockdown areas |
Shops must also close - except for those selling food | Shops must also close - except for those selling food |
Lockdowns last until no new infections are reported | Lockdowns last until no new infections are reported |
Tens of millions of people have been living under some kind of lockdown. | Tens of millions of people have been living under some kind of lockdown. |
Schools have been closed in Shanghai | Schools have been closed in Shanghai |
Some rules, however, have been relaxed. | Some rules, however, have been relaxed. |
Isolation is now for only eight days, rather than 10 - five days at an isolation centre, plus three at home. | Isolation is now for only eight days, rather than 10 - five days at an isolation centre, plus three at home. |
China is also now allowing international arrivals for the first time since March 2022. | China is also now allowing international arrivals for the first time since March 2022. |
How many Covid cases does China have? | How many Covid cases does China have? |
Recently, China has seen its first deaths from Covid-19 in six months. | Recently, China has seen its first deaths from Covid-19 in six months. |
On Monday, it recorded 40,052 new Covid cases. | On Monday, it recorded 40,052 new Covid cases. |
That is up from 39,506 on Sunday and is higher than the previous peak, back in April. The number of cases a week has reached almost 200,000. | |
New infections have been reported throughout China, but the worst affected cities have been Guangzhou, in the south, and Chongqing in the southwest. | |
They are recording 7,000 or 8,000 new Covid cases every day. | |
In Beijing, about 4,000 new cases a day are being reported. | |
However, the overall number of infections and deaths in China is still low, compared with other countries. | |
What vaccines is China using? | What vaccines is China using? |
Only about half of people in China aged 80 and over have received their first vaccinations. | Only about half of people in China aged 80 and over have received their first vaccinations. |
Less than 60% of those aged 60 to 69 are fully vaccinated. | Less than 60% of those aged 60 to 69 are fully vaccinated. |
Older people are most at risk and China has been urging the elderly to get vaccinated. | Older people are most at risk and China has been urging the elderly to get vaccinated. |
There are doubts over whether the main vaccines used in China - Sinovac and Sinopharm - are effective against Omicron, the most widespread strain. | There are doubts over whether the main vaccines used in China - Sinovac and Sinopharm - are effective against Omicron, the most widespread strain. |
Western countries have offered China more effective vaccines, but China has refused to use them widely. | Western countries have offered China more effective vaccines, but China has refused to use them widely. |
The government has given no official explanation. However, some people think China's government fears admitting that it has failed to develop adequate vaccines of its own. | |
The World Health Organization has urged China to change its method of dealing with Covid. | The World Health Organization has urged China to change its method of dealing with Covid. |
However, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the zero Covid policy is "scientific and effective". | However, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the zero Covid policy is "scientific and effective". |
Why is China still trying to achieve zero Covid? | Why is China still trying to achieve zero Covid? |
China is following a policy it calls "dynamic zero" - taking action wherever Covid flares up in order to eradicate it. | China is following a policy it calls "dynamic zero" - taking action wherever Covid flares up in order to eradicate it. |
China has a programme of mass testing for Covid | China has a programme of mass testing for Covid |
China's government says this saves lives, because uncontrolled outbreaks would put many vulnerable people at risk, including the elderly. | China's government says this saves lives, because uncontrolled outbreaks would put many vulnerable people at risk, including the elderly. |
Strict lockdowns mean China's death toll has stayed low ever since the start of the pandemic - the official figure is just over 5,200. | Strict lockdowns mean China's death toll has stayed low ever since the start of the pandemic - the official figure is just over 5,200. |
This is equal to only three Covid deaths in every million in China, compared with 3,000 per million in the US and 2,400 per million in the UK. | This is equal to only three Covid deaths in every million in China, compared with 3,000 per million in the US and 2,400 per million in the UK. |
What effect have zero Covid policies had on China's economy? | What effect have zero Covid policies had on China's economy? |
In recent months, lockdowns have taken place in several cities. | In recent months, lockdowns have taken place in several cities. |
These include Shenzhen, a city of 17.5 million and technology hub, and Shanghai, a city of 26 million which is a manufacturing, trade and financial hub. | These include Shenzhen, a city of 17.5 million and technology hub, and Shanghai, a city of 26 million which is a manufacturing, trade and financial hub. |
Lockdowns have led to factories and ports being shut for long periods. | Lockdowns have led to factories and ports being shut for long periods. |
They have also affected work with foreign companies. | They have also affected work with foreign companies. |
It means that China's economy has grown by only 3.9% over the past year, compared with its target of 5.5% for 2022. | It means that China's economy has grown by only 3.9% over the past year, compared with its target of 5.5% for 2022. |
Unemployment is rising, especially amongst young people, and the property market is weakening. | Unemployment is rising, especially amongst young people, and the property market is weakening. |
China's lockdown measures are also affecting businesses and consumers in the rest of the world, who have come to rely on China for supplies of goods. | China's lockdown measures are also affecting businesses and consumers in the rest of the world, who have come to rely on China for supplies of goods. |
A lockdown at the Foxconn plant in Zhengzhou hit the production of iPhones, leading to fears of a worldwide shortage. | A lockdown at the Foxconn plant in Zhengzhou hit the production of iPhones, leading to fears of a worldwide shortage. |
Factory closures have also led to fears of a shortage of toys ahead of Christmas. | Factory closures have also led to fears of a shortage of toys ahead of Christmas. |
China urges veterans to work at iPhone factory | China urges veterans to work at iPhone factory |
Additional reporting by Jeremy Howell. | Additional reporting by Jeremy Howell. |