Covid restrictions lifted in Chinese city of Guangzhou after protests

Authorities have abruptly lifted Covid restrictions in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, where protesters scuffled with police on Tuesday night, as police searched for demonstrators in other cities and the country’s top security body called for a crackdown on “hostile forces”.

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After days of extraordinary protests in the country that also prompted international demonstrations in solidarity, the US and Canada urged China not to harm or intimidate protesters opposing Covid-19 lockdowns.

On Wednesday afternoon, authorities suddenly announced a lifting of lockdowns in about half of the districts across the southern city of Guangzhou. Official announcements told local officials to variously remove “temporary control orders” and to redesignate areas as low risk. They also announced an end to mass PCR testing.

One resident told the Guardian that within an hour of the announcement they had seen apartment security staff quickly leave, and neighbours hurrying out with luggage “to escape”.

Xi’s iron grip on his country is stopping the Covid U-turn it so desperately needs
Isabel Hilton
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The easing of restrictions, which came despite rising cases in the city, did not extend to all districts. Some areas, including parts of Haizhu, where protesters scuffled with police on Tuesday night, according to witnesses and footage, remained under restrictions.

The city recorded almost 7,000 Covid cases on Tuesday. In Haizhu there had been several protests and clashes with police over the past month, and it was the site of the most recent protests in a wave of civil disobedience that escalated dramatically on Friday.

Late on Tuesday, security personnel in hazmat suits formed ranks shoulder-to-shoulder, taking cover under riot shields, to make their way down a street in Haizhu district as glass smashed around them, videos posted on social media showed. extraordinary protests in the country that also prompted international demonstrations in solidarity, the US and Canada urged China not to harm or intimidate protesters opposing Covid-19 lockdowns.

On Wednesday afternoon, authorities suddenly announced a lifting of lockdowns in about half of the districts across the southern city of Guangzhou. Official announcements told local officials to variously remove “temporary control orders” and to redesignate areas as low risk. They also announced an end to mass PCR testing.

One resident told the Guardian that within an hour of the announcement they had seen apartment security staff quickly leave, and neighbours hurrying out with luggage “to escape”.

Xi’s iron grip on his country is stopping the Covid U-turn it so desperately needs
Isabel Hilton
Read more
Advertisement
The easing of restrictions, which came despite rising cases in the city, did not extend to all districts. Some areas, including parts of Haizhu, where protesters scuffled with police on Tuesday night, according to witnesses and footage, remained under restrictions.

The city recorded almost 7,000 Covid cases on Tuesday. In Haizhu there had been several protests and clashes with police over the past month, and it was the site of the most recent protests in a wave of civil disobedience that escalated dramatically on Friday.

Late on Tuesday, security personnel in hazmat suits formed ranks shoulder-to-shoulder, taking cover under riot shields, to make their way down a street in Haizhu district as glass smashed around them, videos posted on social media showed.

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In the footage –