Shanghai limps back to normalcy after two months of Covid lockdown

Shanghai springs back to life after two months of bitter isolation under a ruthless Covid lockdown, with shops and public transportation reopening, and residents going back to offices, parks and markets.

Shanghai authorities eased lockdown restrictions in a step to return the Covid-hit city to normalcy, after eight weeks of heavy-handed restrictions that dampened the businesses and made everyone locked down in their places. Credit: AFP Photo

The commercial hub of 25 million was closed down in late March when the spread of the Omicron variant prompted China's worst outbreak since the virus first emerged in the country in late 2019. Credit: Reuters Photo

China is wedded to a zero-Covid strategy of hard lockdowns, mass testing and long quarantine periods to wipe out clusters. Credit: AFP Photo

But after gradually relaxing some rules over the past weeks, officials said that residents living in areas deemed low risk will be allowed to move around the city freely, a major step toward ending the curbs. Credit: Reuters Photo

The easing of restrictions will apply to around 22 million people, deputy mayor Zong Ming told reporters. Credit: Reuters Photo

Factories and businesses were also gearing up to restart work after being dormant for weeks, with the gruelling measures bringing the city to a standstill. Credit: Reuters Photo

Malls, convenience stores, pharmacies and beauty salons will be allowed to operate at 75 per cent capacity, while parks and other scenic spots will gradually reopen. Credit: Reuters Photo

But cinemas and gyms remain closed, and schools -- shut since mid-March -- will slowly reopen on a voluntary basis. Credit: Reuters Photo

Buses, subway and ferry services will also resume their services. However, communities considered

Local media showed photos of orange-clad workers dismantling some of the barriers that had been penned in districts across the city for weeks. Credit: AFP Photo