Coronavirus – Shanghai: The goal is to return to normalcy from June 1

Plans to end the severe lockdown against him coronavirus which has lasted more than six weeks and has seriously hit the Chinese economy presented today, Monday (16/5) the Shanghai announcing the return to a smoother routine from June 1st.

In the clearest timetable so far, Deputy Mayor Zong Ming said Shanghai will “open” again in phaseswith travel restrictions largely in place until May 21 to prevent a re-emergence of infections, before there is a relaxation.

“From 1 June until the middle and end of June, if the risks of an outbreak of infections are under control, we will fully implement epidemiological prevention and control“We will normalize management and fully restore normal production and life in the city,” she said.

However, the announcement, according to the Athens News Agency, was received with caution by some Shanghai residents, who have been disappointed many times by the change of timetables for the lifting of the restrictions.

“Shanghai, Shanghai…. “I’m supposed to still believe you?” said a user on the Weibo social networking platform.

The strict lockdown of Shanghai and COVID restrictions on hundreds of millions of consumers and workers in dozens of Chinese cities have caused economic hardship in a number of industries, raising fears that the economy could shrink in the second quarter.

Restrictions, in contrast to what is happening in the rest of the world where COVID rules are being lifted despite rising infections, are also causing a rift in global supply chains and international trade.

Data released today showed that industrial production and retail sales in China declined in April at the fastest pace in more than two years, exceeding market expectations.

The recent figures were ominous: revenues in catering services fell by 22.7%, car sales fell by 47.6%, sales of real estate by value fell by 46.6%.

Economic activity, according to the Athens News Agency, may have improved somewhat in May, according to analysts, and the government and the central bank are expected to use more support measures to speed things up.

But the strength and duration of the recovery are uncertain given China’s “zero COVID tolerance” policy of eliminating outbreaks at almost any cost.

“The data paint a picture of a stagnant economy and an economy that needs more aggressive support measures. “and the rapid easing of COVID restrictions, none of which seems to be coming in the near future,” said Mitul Kotetsa, head of emerging market analysis at TD Securities. A weaker growth in China would “fuel a further deterioration in the global economic outlook,” he said.

In Beijing, detecting dozens of new COVID cases every day for the past three weeks shows how difficult it is to eliminate even small outbreaks.

The Chinese capital has not imposed a total blockade on the entire city but has tightened restrictions to the point where traffic was at similar levels to those in Shanghai, which is under lockdown, according to data from the Chinese internet giant Baidu .

Yesterday, Beijing extended telecommuting directives to four regions. Among other measures, it has banned seated customers in restaurants and restricted public transportation.

“Please do not lie”

In Shanghai, the deputy mayor said the city would reopen supermarkets, grocery stores and pharmacies from today but travel restrictions would remain in place until at least May 21.

From today, train services and domestic flights will be gradually restored, said the deputy mayor. From May 22, the bus routes will be gradually restored but the citizens will have to show a negative COVID test of the last 48 hours in order to use the means of transport.

Throughout lockdown, Shanghai has been forced to repeatedly deny hopes of ending the ordeal. Authorities expected it to last only until April 5, when it was imposed on March 27.

“Please, do not lie to us this time”another Weibo user reported.

Shanghai has announced less than 1,000 new cases as of May 15, all within areas under tighter control.