As I see it | Mask-free Xi shows time is right for China to move from zero-Covid
- Challenge is to gradually relax control measures while making sure hospitals are not overwhelmed and deaths can be minimised
- The shift from containment to mitigation of the virus is difficult but will not be achieved by lockdowns and mass testing
The scenes of Xi comfortably interacting with people from across the globe without wearing a mask make it a perfect time to spread the message back home: Covid-19 – while still deadlier than influenza – is not as lethal in its later strains, and the country should prepare to embrace the process of a policy shift.
Just before Xi embarked on his whirlwind diplomatic tour, China relaxed its draconian Covid-19 restrictions with a package of 20 measures. So far, conflicting government announcements and different responses by local authorities have caused chaos.
For example, new guidelines issued this week – to clarify the implementation of the new measures – state that a community with one positive case will have to carry out PCR tests daily until no further infections are found for three consecutive days.
For this to be achieved, a large number of people will have to be quarantined, even though the central government’s earlier message was that mass lockdowns should no longer be used.