Covid-19 in China: first lifting of health restrictions for Beijingers

Audio 00:57

Restaurants can reopen in Beijing, but only for takeout food, like here on May 30, 2022. © Andy Wong/AP

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2 mins

The return to work for the Beijingers this Monday, May 30.

Part of the health restrictions have been lifted in the Chinese capital after more than a month of slow activity.

Public transport has resumed in districts where it had been suspended, but schools and restaurants remain closed.

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With our correspondent in Beijing,

Stéphane Lagarde

Beijing's Yong'anli subway escalators have seen the hardest work.

We are far from the human flow carried by line 1 at rush hour.

This morning, when the offices arrive, only a few handfuls of users come to the surface.

The telecommuting imposed on companies on April 25 has been lifted, but the return to " 

normal

 " life will be gradual.

Only half of the staff is affected

 ," says an employee of a real estate agency.

Same 50% gauge for cinemas, theaters, libraries, museums, hair salons and sports halls, and shopping centers cannot organize promotional events, in order to avoid gatherings.

In fact, we still can't serve inside,

" explains a chef, his arms full of vegetables.

You can't eat here, we just take take-out orders… that's not bad

.

This restaurateur is happy to see that delivery people can once again enter residences in areas without cases of Covid-19 for at least seven days.

He hopes this will revive demand for takeaways.

The authorities are pleased with the decrease in the number of infections

The number of new infections reported in Beijing has dropped significantly.

And eight districts have had no new local cases for seven consecutive days.

The current epidemic wave has been effectively brought under control

 ”,

welcomed

the health authorities this weekend, but others are more worried.

Companies organizing professional training in particular will also have to wait a little before the resumption, under penalty of being denounced: “

 We had to hide our students in the parking lot,

confides a boss of private lessons at home.

The neighbors called the police.

 »

►Also read: International report - China: wild camping and picnics despite health restrictions in Beijing

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  • China

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