Nearly three years into the pandemic, China is sticking with a strict COVID-19 containment policy that has caused mounting economic damage and widespread frustration.
What is Zero-Covid?
Dynamic-zero - China’s zero-covid policy is not geared towards having zero cases at all times but about dynamically taking action when cases surface.
Dynamic-zero is two-pronged - prevention and containment.
Prevention - Prevention focuses on early detection through regular PCR tests.
Potential or suspected cases are isolated at home or placed under quarantine at a government-supervised facility.
Containment - Control tactics is aimed at swiftly cutting off transmission chains to prevent outbreaks.
It involve quarantining cases at government-supervised facilities and locking down buildings, communities or even entire cities.
Since March 2020, China's borders have remained shut to most visitors.
Some local authorities have taken extreme measures, such as forcing workers to sleep inside factories so they can work while quarantined.
What is the need for following such stringent restrictions?
New infections - New infections have been reported throughout China, but the worst affected cities have been Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Chongqing.
Vaccination rate among elderly - Overall, China says more than 90% of the population has been fully vaccinated.
However, less than half of people aged 80 and over have received three doses of vaccine.
Effectiveness of vaccines - There are doubts over whether the main vaccines used in China - Sinovac and Sinopharm - are effective against Omicron.
The World Health Organization has urged China to change its method of dealing with Covid.
However, Chinese President Xi Jinping has said the zero Covid policy is scientific and effective.
What effect have zero covid policies had on China's economy?
Lockdowns - In recent months, lockdowns have taken place in several cities including Shenzhen (technology hub) and Shanghai (manufacturing, trade and financial hub).
The shutting of factories and ports for long periods have affected work with foreign companies.
Economic growth - China's economy has grown by only 3.9% over the past year, compared with its target of 5.5% for 2022.
Unemployment - Unemployment is rising, especially amongst young people, and the property market is weakening.
Supply chain - China's lockdown measures are also affecting businesses and consumers in the rest of the world, who rely on China for supplies of goods.
Factory closures have also led to fears of a shortage of toys ahead of Christmas.
Other effects - Anger over China's zero-Covid policy has sparked protests in major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
There has been a nationwide protests calling for an end to lockdowns and greater political freedom.
China has rolled back its most severe Covid policies - including forcing people into quarantine camps - just a week after landmark protests against the strict controls.
What effect have zero covid policies had on China's economy?
