SVT's Asian correspondent: Three possible scenarios after the covid protests in China

The protests that took place in a number of Chinese cities last week, and which met with a lot of resistance, have now subsided.

However, they have been followed by new tones from the Chinese government.

In several large cities, the rules have been relaxed, and in the capital, Beijing, people are now allowed to travel by public transport, even though they do not have an up-to-date PCR test.

The death toll can appear

There is thus a possibility that the restrictions will disappear in the future - a few at a time, according to Tilde Lewin.

- There have already been several easing of restrictions.

The big news came a few days ago when it was announced that all people over the age of 80 must be vaccinated in the next two months, she says.

Against the background of vaccination coverage in the country, and that few Chinese are resistant to the virus, analysts fear that too rapid and extensive relief would lead to rampant death tolls.

According to Chinese authorities, nine out of ten residents have been vaccinated, but among people over the age of 80, only 66 percent have been vaccinated.

Risk of extended control

The one-party government and President Xi Jinping have long insisted on zero tolerance for covid-19, and isolated cases of infection have led to major lockdowns where several million people have been forced to stay in their homes.

Another possible scenario going forward is that the authorities will increase control over the country's inhabitants. 

Tilde Lewin, like the residents of China, has received text messages with warnings about what will happen if you break the current quarantine rules.

"If you break the quarantine rules, you will be taken to a centralized quarantine center.

You are forced to pay the cost of it yourself.

We will notify your workplace and you will be prosecuted," the message reads.

- China and the Communist Party have the world's most developed surveillance apparatus.

In addition to receiving threatening text messages, you also see surveillance cameras and police cars everywhere, she says. 

For individuals who have been infected, continued total isolation applies.