China scraps some of its most controversial Covid rules, in significant step toward reopening [View all]

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https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/07/china/china-covid-restrictions-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html

China scraps some of its most controversial Covid rules, in significant step toward reopening
By Jessie Yeung and CNN's Beijing bureau
Published 1:30 AM EST, Wed December 7, 2022

China announced sweeping changes to its national pandemic response on Wednesday, the clearest and most significant sign yet that the country is moving away from its strict zero-Covid approach.

In a statement reported by state broadcaster CCTV, China’s State Council unveiled 10 new guidelines that loosen some restrictions – most notably, allowing home quarantine and largely scrapping the health QR code that has been mandatory for entering most public places.

Asymptomatic Covid patients or those with mild symptoms will also be allowed to quarantine at home instead of being taken to a government facility.

Local governments had already taken steps this week that indicated a possible change in direction – including some major cities loosening requirements on Covid testing.

But this is the first official change in Covid policy on a national level – a notable turnaround by the central government, which for the past three years insisted that the pandemic is a war only winnable by stamping out outbreaks wherever they occur, and controlling virus spread through unwavering restrictions.

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This will improve the supply chain situation