New relaxation of Covid restrictions this Monday in Beijing. Restaurants and cafes in the capital will be able to serve their customers again after more than a month of closure. And establishments...

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Covid-19 in China: further easing of restrictions in Beijing

A woman being tested for Covid-19 in Beijing, as health restrictions are to be eased again, June 5, 2022. © NOEL CELIS/AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

New relaxation of Covid restrictions this Monday in Beijing.

Restaurants and cafes in the capital will be able to serve their customers again after more than a month of closure.

And schools are announcing a schedule for returning to class.

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With our correspondent in Beijing,

Stéphane Lagarde

Tables and flowerpots reappear on the terrace, a wipe down on the exterior signs... On the eve of the reopening, the smile is back this Sunday evening in the cafes and restaurants on the banks of the Liangma River in Beijing.

Since May 1, only take-out food and drinks have been authorized.

It's a release, explains a sushi bar owner: “

Tomorrow, we will be able to reopen to customers, we hope that there will be many of them.
In any case, we are very happy.
We will finally be able to work again (laughs)

”

Happiness is found for restaurateurs, but also for parents of students.

There were many of them on Sunday evening at the exit of Chaoyang Park, not far from the street of cafes and a shopping center.

According to the authorities, primary and secondary schools should reopen face-to-face classes on June 13.

Zhou Jie, mother of two school children, recounts how this period unfolded: “

We have been at home for almost a month.
The restaurants are closed, the parks too, there is not much we can do.
And then, online courses, it's going for a while.
The children don't like it too much and the parents even less.
Even if there are only two weeks left before the holidays, it is very good that the students can find their teachers, their friends and their friends.

Libraries, museums and gyms with gauges

After the resumption of public transport and

the partial return to work

a week ago, the gauges are at 50% for libraries, museums and sports halls this Monday at 75%.

Now tourist groups will be allowed provided that participants have a full vaccination schedule.

This is the first time that the vaccine has been set as a condition for the lifting of health restrictions in China.

This new lifting of restrictions accompanies a decrease in cases of infection and the maintenance of 72-hour PCR tests, which are compulsory to be able to access public places.

According to the spokesperson for the municipality this weekend, "

the epidemic situation in Beijing continues to improve and the epidemic has generally entered its final stage

" and only two districts of the capital will have to wait a little longer before enjoy the same freedoms.

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Covid-19 in China: further easing of restrictions in Beijing

Covid-19 in China: further easing of restrictions in Beijing

Libraries, museums and gyms with gauges

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