Beijing residents have been allowed to go to parks, supermarkets, offices and airports without testing negative for COVID-19. It is reported by Reuters.

At the same time, the agency notes that some Chinese residents, fearing that the virus could spread faster after taking such measures, rushed to buy tests for COVID-19 and medicines.

According to Reuters sources, Chinese authorities may also announce 10 new measures to ease covid restrictions as early as Wednesday, December 7. Thus, the disease can be downgraded from the current highest category of infectious diseases A to a less severe category B. Also, Chinese citizens who test positive for coronavirus will be allowed home quarantine.

The easing of COVID-19 measures comes amid days of mass protests in China. Protests against lockdowns in Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan and other major Chinese cities began after 10 people died in a fire in Urumqi on November 24. People were forbidden to leave the building due to the quarantine, and roads in the city were blocked.