Under the new guidelines revealed by the National Health Commission in Beijing, “asymptomatic patients and those with mild symptoms who are eligible for home isolation are subject to home isolation.”
The authorities will “limit the scope of nucleic acid testing and reduce the frequency of examinations.”
While compulsory group exams will be limited to “high risk” districts and schools.
According to the new rules, people traveling between provinces will also not need to have a negative corona test taken within 48 hours, nor will they have to be tested on arrival.
The announcement came on the heels of rare nationwide demonstrations against the ruling Communist Party’s “zero Covid” hardline policy.
Protests have expanded in China over the coronavirus restrictions, with some even calling for President Xi Jinping to resign.
Wednesday’s announcement came hours after the government released more data showing the negative economic effects of zero Covid.
Imports and exports fell in November to levels not seen in China since early 2020.
Imports in November fell 10.6 percent year on year, the sharpest drop since May 2020, according to the General Administration of Customs.
Exports also fell 8.7 percent during the same period.
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