China Reverses Harshest Covid-19 Restrictions following Protests

China has lifted its strictest zero-Covid policies after protests challenging the draconian measures swept the nation.

Citizens who contract the virus and exhibit mild or no symptoms will no longer be required to check into a state facility to quarantine and can do so at home now, according to a ten-point order issued by the Chinese National Health Commission on Wednesday. Testing requirements for people traveling within China have also been dropped and officials were ordered to discontinue frequent arbitrary lockdowns. The order told officials to “more scientifically and accurately” demarcate “risk zones,” with a faster timeline for opening up high-risk zones after they have recovered.

Prior to the updates, China forced infected residents and their contacts to admit themselves to quarantine camps for weeks and prevented mobility in certain high-density areas, such as housing complexes and populous neighbors, experiencing high Covid-19 transmission.