Changchun begins to lift COVID-19 lockdown

Based on its judgment of the current COVID-19 epidemic situation, the epidemic prevention and control headquarters in Changchun, Jilin province, decided to gradually lift lockdown management and restore residents' lives to regular order starting on Thursday, officials said on Wednesday.

"After nearly two months of hard work, now the latest outbreak has been effectively controlled," Ma Yanfeng, deputy mayor of Changchun, said at a Wednesday news conference. "Different measures will be carried out in regions placed under different levels of control and prevention."

Ma said all households in precautionary zones can assign a representative to go out daily to purchase necessities. Residents in lockdown and controlled zones will continue current management measures, he said.

Service businesses closely related to residents' daily lives in precautionary zones, such as convenience stores, barbershops, laundries and vehicle repair shops will resume under COVID-19 prevention and control requirements.

Such venues should require reservations and limit visitors to prevent gathering.

A total of 175 major bus lines and 1,000 taxis will resume service in the city, and taxis will be increased as the epidemic situation changes.

Senior students in high schools will return to school according to the schedule given by the provincial education department. All other students will return to campus in batches.

Mass nucleic acid testing will be conducted among residents in urban areas and Jiutai district every three days.

The province reported 51 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases and 80 asymptomatic carriers on Tuesday, the provincial Health Commission said on Wednesday.

Of the confirmed cases, 46 were found in Changchun, three in Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture and one each in Jilin city and Baicheng.

Of the asymptomatic carriers, 66 were identified in Changchun, five each in Jilin city and Yanbian and four in Baicheng.