Concerns of a sharp rise in virus infections have spread in China just days after the country significantly eased its stringent "zero-COVID" policy amid public frustration, with many casting doubt on the accuracy of official counts as frequent testing is no longer required.
A significant easing of China's stringent "zero-COVID" policy announced on Dec. 8 amid the continued spread of the coronavirus has triggered confusion and anxiety among the public, with cold medicines flying off the shelves and health authorities no longer tracing positive cases.
China announces additional measures to relax its strict "zero-COVID" policy, including allowing those with no or mild symptoms of the disease to be quarantined at home instead of designated facilities after rare nationwide protests against the restrictions erupted in late November.
Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang region and where the protests first erupted, will reopen malls, markets, restaurants and other venues from Monday, authorities said, ending strict lockdowns after months.
Shanghai police are on high alert a week after a major protest against China's strict "zero-COVID" policy involving lockdowns erupted in the city, deploying many officers and vehicles to prevent a recurrence of the rally.