“Zero-Covid policy” has been the poster child of China’s response to the global pandemic. Until early this month, under President Xi Jinping, the country maintained the world’s strictest Covid-testing regime for nearly three years, characterized by mass virus testing and strict lockdowns.
However, collateral damage to the economy and the consequent civil unrest compelled the country’s leadership to soften its stance on Covid restrictions. Despite the current surge in infections, China has scrapped all quarantine measures for Covid-19, including requirements for inbound visitors, both foreigners and Chinese nationals, from January 8, thereby putting an end to its “Zero-Covid policy.”
