Chinese authorities have eased COVID-19 testing requirements across major cities over the weekend as Beijing appears to be engineering a gradual shift away from its strict "COVID zero" policy amid elevated cases and public protests.
The financial hub of Shanghai, which saw a grueling two-month lockdown earlier in the year, scrapped PCR testing requirements to enter outdoor public venues such as parks or use public transportation starting Monday, city authorities said in a statement. Measures will "continue to be optimized and adjusted” in line with national policy and the local situation, according to the statement.
Hangzhou, home to tech giant Alibaba Group Holding, also announced on Sunday it will drop testing requirements for entry into most public venues as well as taking public transportation. Tests will no longer be required to purchase certain medicines, city authorities said in a statement.