Advertisement
Coronavirus: China’s pandemic rule changes a nod to science on Omicron and economy, say experts
- Changes based on Omicron’s shorter incubation period seen to promote a more targeted approach to pandemic control
- It is not a shift from zero-Covid, health officials and public health experts caution
Reading Time:2 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
6
The recent relaxation of Covid-19 rules by China will help the country contain the pandemic in a more pragmatic way, health experts said.
This came as the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced an end to the Covid-19 risk indicator in its digital travel pass, removing a major barrier to domestic travel. The asterisk risk symbol would no longer appear in the travel pass of anyone who had travelled recently to cities with Covid-19 cases, the ministry said.
A day before, the national health authority had halved the quarantine period for inbound overseas travellers and close contacts of Covid-19 positive cases.
02:01
Students in Beijing return to class as Covid-19 wanes in Chinese capital
Students in Beijing return to class as Covid-19 wanes in Chinese capital
New arrivals now only need to undergo seven days of centralised quarantine, followed by three days of home isolation. While this is still an outlier approach in a world that has mostly chosen to live with the coronavirus, it is a big step for China as it tries to rescue an economy faltering under a dynamic zero-Covid policy that often involves mass testing, citywide lockdowns and strict travel restrictions.
Advertisement
Lu Hongzhou, president of the Shenzhen No 3 People’s Hospital, an infectious diseases hospital and designated Covid-19 facility, said the changes were based on the scientific finding that the Omicron variant, the dominant strain in China, was mostly detected two to four days after exposure and could always be detected within seven days.
The new optimised quarantine rules had streamlined pandemic control measures and would help to free up social resources, he said.
Advertisement
“As a border city, Shenzhen faces a lot of pressure to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks. The new guidelines could guide the city’s Covid-19 response in a more precise and targeted manner,” said Lu.
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x