China eases virus controls, but gives no indication of end to ‘zero Covid’

On Monday, commuters in Beijing and at least 16 other cities were allowed to board buses and subway trains without a virus test from the previous 48 hours for the first time in months.

China is easing some of the world’s most stringent anti-virus controls, with authorities saying new variants of Covid-19 are weaker (Andy Wong/AP)

China is easing some of the world’s most stringent anti-virus controls, with authorities saying new variants of Covid-19 are weaker.

However, they have yet to indicate when they might end the “zero-Covid” strategy that confines millions of people to their homes and has triggered protests and demands for President Xi Jinping to resign.