China Protests Cause Beijing, Shenzhen To Loosen Zero COVID Restrictions Amidst Censorship Breach

Andi C., Tech Times 03 December 2022, 02:12 pm

China protestors rejoice as its zero-COVID restrictions have begun loosening up amidst recent online flak.

Since news of a spike in Covid cases started in March, China has been under a strict Zero COVID lockdown, leading to alarming protests and clashes with the Chinese police.

Notably, big facilities such as Foxconn's iPhone factory in Zhengzhou, China, are facing massive protests and factory workers fleeing from the facility due to the strict COVID protocols, which has caused Apple to lose a fair share of its productivity rate and staff.

As seen on viral social media posts, authorities have detained several protesters while police in cities like Shanghai have been searching commuters' phones for apps or virtual private network software that protesters used for communication.

However, it seems like China's authorities are finally acknowledging the severity of protests in a recent development in some of its cities.

China Loosens Zero COVID Restrictions in Beijing, Shenzhen After Protests

According to Global News, China lifted its strict protocols in Beijing, which includes the removal of COVID-19 testing booths, and Shenzhen announced it would no longer require commuters to produce test results to travel.

Shenzhen has also followed suit as officials have announced that it would no longer require individuals to present a negative COVID test result in order to use public transportation or enter parks.

Even though the number of cases per day is nearly at an all-time high, some cities are taking action to loosen up COVID testing requirements and quarantine laws as China looks to target its zero-COVID policy in the face of a severe economic slowdown and mounting public resentment through ongoing protests.

In at least seven districts, Chinese authorities have announced that they are lifting temporary lockdowns. One district announced that it would permit the reopening of theatres, restaurants, and other businesses.

However, despite the restriction lift, Reuters reports that Chinese officials are currently reconsidering their nationwide Covid testing requirements as well as allowing positive cases and close contacts to isolate at home under certain conditions.

China Protestors Took to Social Media Amidst Zero COVID Issues

Interestingly, the news of Beijing and Shenzhen's COVID restriction lift comes after issues regarding China's online censorship in a recent report from Tech Times.

In case you missed it, protests extended across major cities from Beijing to Chengdu and university campuses over a horrific fire in Urumqi, China, after the victims were prevented from fleeing due to the strict Zero COVID restrictions.

The massive surveillance and control system that the state has been refining for decades has been used to respond to the current wave of protests.

Wired reports that Chinese authorities identify protestors using facial recognition technology, phone searches, and informants. China's advanced censorship system is being put to the test by the protests, and analysts think that the sheer volume of video clips has probably exceeded China's army of censors.