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Opinion | Ending ‘zero-Covid’ policy will bring pain but put China on road to normality
- China’s abrupt reversal after years of strict pandemic controls caught many by surprise, including local officials and the healthcare system
- While there is much confusion and concern as Beijing’s new approach takes shape, the return of quarantine-free travel and major events give reason for optimism
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China has officially moved away from its “zero-Covid” policy. Perhaps no event has been as warmly welcomed by its people since perhaps Deng Xiaoping’s open-door policy in 1978.
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Many people were caught by surprise with China’s abrupt reversal to what the rest of the world calls “living with the virus”. It isn’t just the 180-degree pivot to normality that caught everyone off guard, it is also the breakneck speed with which it happened.
One day China had thousands of test centres, quarantine on arrival, citywide lockdowns plus the requirement of a negative PCR test to enter public buildings and take public transport. The next day, seemingly overnight, most pandemic restrictions were lifted.
The gradual approach adopted by Hong Kong and most countries in opening up was surprisingly left by the wayside in favour of an aggressive, speedy reopening. Some people admire the big bold moves to normality while others are concerned about a public health challenge.
China’s vaccination rate has been less than optimal. Only about 40 per cent of the most vulnerable elderly over 80 years old have received three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.
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Also, the efficacy of China’s home-grown vaccines in preventing serious illness and death has been called into question compared to mRNA vaccines used in many other parts of the world. This, combined with the highly transmissible Omicron variant, has created medical mayhem. China is not alone; all countries have gone through this during the pandemic.
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