Relaxation of epidemic measures in China

China has announced new guidelines that signal a relaxation of some parts of its zero-Covid policy, which has caused serious economic and social problems and isolated the country. China has relaxed some areas of its zero-Covid policy, which has fueled public anger over the country’s isolation from the world, by reducing the length of time tourists and close contacts must quarantine and removing mandatory testing. While travelers to China currently have to quarantine for a total of 10 days — one week at a hotel and three days at home — that period will change to five days of quarantine and three days at home, according to a statement by the National Health Commission on Friday. The shortened quarantine period will now apply to close contacts, and the annoying contact tracing practice that has seen millions of people rushed to central facilities to stop the spread will be minimized. The practice of keeping records of people who come into contact with close contacts will also be ended. Fines for airlines that bring infected cases will be lifted The statement said that the practice of imposing fines on airlines that bring infected cases into the country will also be shelved. All of the changes are part of a 20-item package of measures aimed at guiding authorities in controlling the outbreak. Passengers wait to be taken to designated quarantine points from Beijing International Airport in early June. The package of changes is the most sweeping overhaul of China’s virus approach since the pandemic began and potentially marks the beginning of the country’s move to rejoin a world living with the virus. The yuan and commodities rose after the announcement, while Chinese stocks continued their rallies on the news.