The Chinese government unveiled its zero-Covid policy on Wednesday after an extraordinary outburst of discontent in mass street protests a week ago.
Changes do not dismantle the policy, but they are a loosening of measures that have dragged down the economy by disrupting daily life for hundreds of millions of people, forcing many small businesses to close and sending youth unemployment to a record high.
Possible exposure to the virus was indicated by R. tests and digital passes. Mass testing will no longer be carried out in areas that are not considered high risk, a designation for regions that have positive cases. The high-risk category has limited its resources to buildings, units, floors or households, rather than encompassing neighborhoods.
R. tests and health codes will no longer be checked for travel between regions in China.
Those who are infected with mild symptoms are now free to isolate themselves at home, a departure from the unpopular rule that forced many infected people to stay in makeshift quarantine facilities and hospitals. Close contacts are also allowed to be quarantined at home and will be released on the fifth day with a negative test.