This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/59882774
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 14 | Version 15 |
---|---|
What is China's Covid policy and how have the rules changed? | |
(2 days later) | |
The Chinese government has announced an easing of its strict lockdown measures, despite a surge in reported Covid-19 cases across China. | |
The loosening of controls comes a week after crowds took to streets in cities across China to protests against the restrictions. | |
What was China's zero Covid policy? | |
China had one of the toughest anti-Covid regimes in the world - known as its zero-Covid policy. | |
The measures included: | |
Strict lockdowns imposed by local authorities - even if only a handful of Covid cases found | |
Mass testing in places where cases reported | |
People with Covid isolated at home, or placed under quarantine at government facilities | |
Businesses and schools closed in lockdown areas | |
Shops closed - except for those selling food | |
Lockdowns continuing until no new infections reported | |
This meant tens of millions of people were living under some kind of lockdown. | |
Some local authorities took extreme measures, such as forcing workers to sleep inside factories so they could work while quarantined. | |
In early November, workers at the Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, which makes iPhones, staged a mass breakout because of fears they would be shut inside. | In early November, workers at the Foxconn factory in Zhengzhou, which makes iPhones, staged a mass breakout because of fears they would be shut inside. |
In August, shoppers in an Ikea store in Shanghai forced their way out through the doors to escape being locked down inside it. | In August, shoppers in an Ikea store in Shanghai forced their way out through the doors to escape being locked down inside it. |
How have the rules changed? | |
Following the protests against Covid lockdowns across the country last week - including direct criticism of President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party - the government announced an easing of the measures. | |
These include: | |
Lockdowns now targeted to buildings, units or floors rather than to whole neighbourhoods or cities | |
"High-risk" areas to come out of lockdown in five days if no new cases are found | |
Schools to remain open if there's no wider campus outbreak | |
People with Covid no longer required to go to a centralised quarantine facility | |
PCR tests are no longer required to enter public transport, restaurants, gyms and other public buildings, with the exception of schools, hospitals and nursing homes | |
Lateral flow tests to replace PCR tests in most cases | |
Inter-province travel restrictions lifted | |
Earlier, the government reduced isolation from 10 to eight days - 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. |
Schools have been closed in Shanghai | |
How many Covid cases does China have? | How many Covid cases does China have? |
The number of new cases is rising. | |
Recently, China has seen its first deaths from Covid-19 in months. | Recently, China has seen its first deaths from Covid-19 in months. |
New infections have been reported throughout China, but the worst affected cities have been Guangzhou in the south, Shanghai in the east, and Chongqing in the southwest. | New infections have been reported throughout China, but the worst affected cities have been Guangzhou in the south, Shanghai in the east, and Chongqing in the southwest. |
China has reported a total of 1.7 million cases since the pandemic began. | |
What are China's vaccination rates? | |
Overall, China says more than 90% of the population has been fully vaccinated. | Overall, China says more than 90% of the population has been fully vaccinated. |
However, less than half of people aged 80 and over have received three doses of vaccine. The vaccination rate back in April among this age group was much lower - less than 20%. | However, less than half of people aged 80 and over have received three doses of vaccine. The vaccination rate back in April among this age group was much lower - less than 20%. |
The authorities now say they require local health services to "strengthen immunization of the whole population, particularly the elderly". | |
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, national pride may be a factor according to Dr Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China at the international affairs think tank Chatham House: | The government has given no official explanation. However, national pride may be a factor according to Dr Yu Jie, Senior Research Fellow on China at the international affairs think tank Chatham House: |
"I think it's Xi Jinping really thinking of things in terms of economic self-reliance - that need to have China produce and use its own vaccine, rather than import it from somewhere." | |
Was zero Covid policy effective? | |
The Chinese government called its now dismantled policy "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 |
The government said this saves lives, because uncontrolled outbreaks would put many vulnerable people at risk, including the elderly. | |
Strict lockdowns mean China's death toll had 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. |