Covid is weakening, China state media claims, as major cities lift lockdowns

An article in Chinese state media has suggested infection protocols could be downgraded, as the country signals a relaxing of its zero-Covid policy. Photograph: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images

Coronavirus is weakening and management protocols could be downgraded, an expert on China’s state media has claimed, after unprecedented protests last week led to a major shift in Beijing’s commitment to its zero-Covid policy.

Since January 2020, China has classified Covid-19 as a Category B infectious disease but has managed it under Category A protocols, which give local authorities the power to put patients and their close contacts into quarantine and lock down affected regions.