Original from: China Daily

Editor's note: Major adjustments have been made to China's COVID-19 control policies, according to a 10-point notice released by the National Health Commission on Wednesday. Below are some of the key changes, to help you keep up to date.

1.     High-risk areas should be designated precisely. Arbitrary expansion of high-risk areas as well as temporary lockdowns are banned.

2.     People can have COVID testing based on a voluntary basis, except for those working at high-risk posts or from high-risk areas.

Negative PCR test result and health code are no longer required when entering public spaces, except nursing homes, welfare homes, hospitals, kindergartens, and schools.

PCR test result and health code requirements are also waived for cross-regional travel.

3.     Mild COVID patients and asymptomatic carriers can choose to quarantine at home.

4.     Closed-off management should be lifted promptly for high-risk areas where no new infections are reported for five days in a row.

5.     Pharmacies should not be shut down arbitrarily. Buying non-prescription medicines for fever, cough, cold and antiviral drugs should not be restricted.

6.     Accelerate the vaccination of the elderly.

7.     Enhance monitoring of health conditions for vulnerable groups and give a better play to the role of medical institutions and family doctors in fighting the virus.

8.     Ensure the normal operations of society and the provision of basic medical services.

9.     Gates of residential buildings, access to fire trucks as well as emergency exits must not be blocked for epidemic control purposes.

10.  Schools without COVID cases should resume in-person classes. Schools with cases should precisely designate risk areas and ensure normal operation in the rest of campus.

China's national health authority (NHC) has relaxed the national COVID rules, “in the strongest sign yet that China is preparing its people to live with the disease“, according to Reuters.

The change in the quarantine protocols reflects adjustments in prevention and control measures according to the characteristics of virus mutations, the NHC said.