China will now allow people with asymptomatic COVID-19 or mild symptoms to quarantine at home in another relaxation of its rules.
Most COVID cases are asymptomatic infections and mild cases, with no special treatment required, the National Health Commission announced.
It is the biggest sign yet that China is preparing its people to live with the disease.
“Asymptomatic persons and mild cases can be isolated at home while strengthening health monitoring, and they can transfer to designated hospitals for treatment in a timely manner if their condition worsens,” the NHC said.
For almost three years, China has had some of the most restrictive COVID-19 policies in the world, managing the virus as a disease on par with bubonic plague and cholera.
But since last week, top officials have acknowledged the reduced ability of the new coronavirus to cause disease, while Chinese experts have suggested it is not more deadly than seasonal influenza.
Yesterday, people in the capital Beijing were allowed to enter parks, supermarkets and offices without showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test in another relaxation of the rules.
People no longer need a negative COVID test to ride the subway or enter either of the city’s airports. However there was no suggestion of changes to rules requiring passengers to show negative tests prior to boarding.
A street cleaner wears a protective suit as she picks up litter next to a bus stop in Beijing
China is preparing its people to live with COVID
Last month saw intense anti-lockdown protests representing the biggest show of public discontent on the mainland since President Xi Jinping took power in 2012.
