Mainland Caseload Dips Amid Easing Covid Curbs

The daily Covid-19 caseload on the mainland has dropped below 30,000 as local authorities relaxed coronavirus restrictions.

According to the National Health Commission, there were 4,247 locally transmitted and 25,477 asymptomatic infections on Sunday – excluding imported cases – for a total of 29,724.

Guangdong again accounted for the highest number of infections of all provinces and regions at 6,502. The number of new cases in Chongqing and Beijing topped 4,800 and 3,700 respectively.

Authorities in various cities, meanwhile, have begun a gradual rollback of restrictions.

In Beijing, many businesses have fully reopened, and commuters from Monday were no longer required to show a negative virus test taken within 48 hours to use public transport.

Shanghai was under the same rules, with residents able to enter outdoor venues such as parks and tourist attractions without a recent test.

Nearby Hangzhou has ended regular mass testing for its 10 million people, except for those living in or visiting nursing homes, schools and kindergartens.

In the northwestern city of Urumqi, where a fire killed 10 people last month, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants and ski resorts reopened on Monday. (Additional reporting by Xinhua, AFP)