China: Beijing, Shenzhen Loosen More COVID-19 Curbs

Beijing on Saturday loosened COVID-19 curbs, while Shenzhen said it would no longer require commuters to present test results to travel.

Some cities are taking steps to loosen COVID-19 testing requirements and quarantine rules as China looks to make its zero-COVID policy.

The southern city of Shenzhen announced it would no longer require people to show a negative COVID test result to use public transport or enter parks, following similar moves by Chengdu and Tianjin.

Many testing booths in Beijing have also been shut, as the city stops demanding negative test results as a condition to enter places such as supermarkets and prepares to do so for subways from Monday.

China is set to further announce a nationwide reduction in testing requirements as well as allowing positive cases and close contacts to isolate at home under certain conditions, Reuters added.

China reported 32,827 new local COVID-19 infections for December 2, down from 34,772 a day earlier.

As of Friday, China reported 5,233 COVID-related deaths and 331,952 cases with symptoms.