Shanghai scraps COVID tests for restaurants, other venues
China's major business hub of Shanghai announced on Thursday it would remove COVID-19 test requirements for restaurants and entertainment venues from tomorrow as part of the nationwide relaxation of the zero-COVID policy. The city was put under lockdown several times in recent months, causing a slowdown in economic activity and prompting protests against the measures.
Hong Kong was also reported to be easing restriction measures earlier today when it comes to the obligatory quarantine period for people who test positive for the coronavirus and their close contacts. Meanwhile, China was scheduled to hold a news conference on COVID-19 prevention and control a day after de facto putting an end to its strict policy under which regions that faced local outbreaks were placed in full lockdowns.