Chinese cities drop Covid test requirement for public transport

Authorities in China have announced a further easing of Covid-19 curbs, with major cities such as Shenzhen and Beijing no longer requiring negative tests to take public transport.

The relaxation of testing requirements comes even as daily virus infections reach near-record highs, and follows protests across the country by residents frustrated by the rigid enforcement of anti-virus restrictions that are now entering their fourth year.

The southern technological manufacturing centre of Shenzhen said on Saturday that commuters no longer need to show a negative Covid-19 test result to use public transport or when entering pharmacies, parks and tourist attractions.

Meanwhile, the capital Beijing said on Friday that negative tests would no longer be required for public transport from December 5. However, a negative result obtained within the past 48 hours will still be necessary to enter public places such as shopping malls.

Some Beijing residents had complained that even though the city had shut many testing stations, most public venues still required Covid-19 tests.

The government on Saturday reported 33,018 domestic infections in the previous 24 hours, including 29,085 with no symptoms.