Global Courant 2023-04-17 04:13:04
BEIJING — Beijing’s subway has scrapped mandatory mask requirements for travelers, local media reported Sunday, days after a Chinese health expert said the threat posed by Covid-19 to people is no longer serious.
The mask movement is in line with broader measures from China, which recently said it is now no longer required to wear face masks when using public transport, according to state media.
“It’s like an era has passed,” said a user on China’s popular social e-commerce app Xiaohongshu, as social media buzzed with news of the easing of the rules.
Employees at a Beijing subway station tore down signs reminding people to wear masks, Beijing Daily reported.
The pandemic is nearing its end, according to data from the World Health Organization, Dr. Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at China’s Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said according to the China Daily.
China, which dismantled its strict Covid-19 rules in December, said the latest official data indicated that its Covid-19 positivity rate had risen slightly in early April, according to the Global Times.
However, respiratory specialists said China was unlikely to experience another major wave of infections across the country.
China has declared victory over Covid-19 several times, highlighting the government’s response and handling of the pandemic.
Some people on social media expressed concern over the relaxation of mask rules, saying the virus remains a threat.
“Let’s hope there isn’t a second wave of infections,” said a user on China’s Twitter-like social media site Weibo.
Masks are optional on public transportation and in supermarkets, movie theaters and other indoor places with large gatherings, Xinhua news reported.
Masks remain mandatory when a person has tested positive for Covid-19 or is showing symptoms, during local outbreaks and in medical facilities and nursing homes, the report said.
Chinese cities have been scrapping mask mandates for several weeks, including Hong Kong, which ended mask requirements on March 1. REUTERS
