International reporting
China: the vaccine pass does not pass in Beijing
Audio 02:13
80% of Beijingers are vaccinated against Covid-19.
© AP/Ng Han Guan
By: Stéphane Lagarde Follow
2 mins
Compulsory vaccination does not pass in Beijing.
The Chinese capital intended to force its inhabitants to present proof of a Covid vaccine to access public places as of Monday, July 11.
Many saw it as a change in the “zero Covid” strategy which puts more emphasis on tracing and blocking the virus, rather than vaccines.
Except that, faced with the bronca aroused by such a measure, the latter was withdrawn.
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From our correspondent in Beijing,
We do not know if it is the joy of seeing the authorities give up the vaccination pass, but this septuagenarian who sings at nightfall this Friday evening in Beijing does not have a complete vaccination plan.
And he has a good reason for that: “
You can’t get vaccinated on Covid test day
,” he explains, “
and you get tested all the time right now
.”
If 80% of Pekingese are vaccinated, like him, many seniors are wary of the injection.
They are not the only ones, tells us this young teacher.
I don't think it's necessary and I think I have the right to go to public places without a vaccine.
First, vaccination does not protect 100%, then the chances of being infected in China are low.
Right now, the precautionary measures are enough, I think.
And then this announcement restricts our freedoms, but I don't know if I have the right to say so.
A first dose, but no joy of heart
The announcement two days ago of
compulsory vaccination for frequented public places
was an exception in China.
She pushed some of the non-vaccinated to take the plunge, like this employee of the medical sector – who for some of the caregivers in particular
dragged their feet in the face of vaccination
– crossed Thursday in front of a neighborhood community clinic.
A first dose, but not lightheartedly: “
I come because the policy has changed
,” he explains.
“
Before, I was hesitant, because I am not sure that Covid vaccines are safe in reality.
And then in Beijing, there is no great risk of catching the virus.
We have quarantines, regular screenings, the environment is rather protected here.
So, for me, vaccination doesn't make a big difference
.
»
Measure welcomed by some, heckled by others
Immediately welcomed by business circles and the European Chamber of Commerce in China in particular, the measure was conversely
heckled on social networks
.
“
My rights as citizens are compromised
,” wrote a famous unvaccinated lawyer.
“
In any case, we would have continued only to ask for the health pass and a PCR of less than 72 hours
”, confides a baker.
"
But for vaccines, it's complicated, adds the latter, we also have children who come to the store without their parent
".
According to the very official
Beijing Daily
, faced with such an outcry, the authorities finally gave up their plan.
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