How China’s zero-Covid policy has pushed people, economy to the brink
- Support and acceptance – seen in the early days of China’s attempts to control the spread of Covid-19 – have given way to mounting fear, confusion and a sense of hopelessness among many citizens
- But a rapid reopening and shift away from the stringent policy threatens to put China’s medical system at high risk of being overwhelmed by mass infections and death
Nearly three years of snap lockdowns, business upheaval and volatile travel restrictions under China’s stringent zero-Covid policy have pushed people to their mental and financial limits while having an outsized impact on the nation’s economy.
With lives and livelihoods on the line, many people are frustrated, angry and confused – pondering the continued validity of an unwavering strategy that was designed to protect the most vulnerable in society from infections while keeping economic activities humming along.
In the southwest border province of Yunnan, Cun Xiaoqin had to lay off most of the staff at her travel agency and a small hotel after intermittent restrictions brought business to a standstill.
She said she was scared but remained hopeful when travel was halted in early 2020, and her hope appeared justified as she ended up turning a profit during the first year of the pandemic, due to an eventual resumption of domestic tourism after initial lockdowns.