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Is the pandemic over? Experts say no, but China still needs zero-Covid exit plan
- No official response from Beijing after US President Joe Biden declares Covid-19 ‘over’ and WHO chief says end is ‘in sight’
- Observers say it’s too soon to stop fighting the virus, but China should prepare to ease restrictions as public pressure and economic costs grow
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US President Joe Biden’s declaration last week that the Covid-19 pandemic is over in the United States lit a firestorm domestically and globally.
Days before the bold declaration, World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters that the end of the pandemic was “in sight”, though he stressed it had not arrived yet.
WHO later clarified that vaccination, testing and treatment efforts should be stepped up to make the end of the pandemic possible.
Analysts said Biden’s declaration was premature and Covid-19 will still pose health risks for many countries, but these public statements were reminders that China should quickly adopt an exit strategy for its zero-Covid policy, especially as other countries drop restrictions and prepare to live with the virus in the long term.
Who can declare the Covid-19 pandemic over?
Observers viewed Biden’s remarks as impromptu comments reflecting the general sentiment of the American public.
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