Some cities in China are easing restrictions in the fight against Covid-19. The country has been strict in advocating a zero-covid policy, but after a wave of protests over the weekend, Beijing and other cities appear to be caving.
The government of the Chinese capital has already announced that the exits of the buildings will not be blocked, as up to now, to prevent access to residential areas where people with Covid-19 were. A city official, quoted by the Chinese press, explained that the passages must be open for emergencies such as rescues or medical assistance.
According to the South China Morning Post newspaper, the authorities in Beijing and also in Guangzhou have informed the population that even while in quarantine, they can now leave their homes when they need to. Deutsche Welle, the German public broadcaster, says the easing of the measures also extends to trade.
In Ürümqi, the capital of the Xijiang region, it has already been announced that markets will reopen in areas where the risk of contagion is considered low and public bus service will also resume.
A similar relaxation of the measures appears to be underway in Guangzhou. In the largest city in southern China, residents of some areas will no longer have to undergo mass testing. The authorities say the measures are aimed at conserving resources.
However, in the journalistic coverage of these protests, there have already been arrests of journalists. The BBC reported that a journalist was arrested in Shanghai and beaten by police while he was in custody, but this was not the only case. Also a journalist from Swiss Radio and Television was harassed live.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which brings together more than a hundred radio broadcasters at the European level, has already condemned these arrests, regrets that there has been no official apology from the Chinese authorities and calls for respect for the rights of journalists in every way. .urgently.
A change of course in China, but limited because the Chinese government seems unwilling to change strategy. The official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party has already called for the zero Covid policy to continue to be effectively implemented.
On Sunday, crowds of protesters, responding to calls on social media, took to the streets, particularly in Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan, catching security forces off guard.
Due to its extension in the country’s territory, the mobilization seems to be the largest since the pro-democracy demonstrations of 1989, which were harshly repressed and which the Chinese authorities say never took place.
Source: TSF
