Shanghai Disneyland theme park to reopen as China eases Covid curbs

 Shanghai Disneyland theme park is set to reopen tomorrow as the People’s Republic of China announced further easing of its COVID-19 control measures.

The Shanghai Disney Resort made the announcement on Wednesday. The resort’s statement came after Beijing's National Health Commission (NHC) announced new Covid guidelines for people.

Shanghai Disneyland was closed on November 29 to comply with COVID prevention measures under the zero-Covid policy. 

Today, the Chinese authorities announced some easing of Covid restrictions. The announcement came days after rare protests occurred in various Chinese cities over strict Covid guidelines. Many protesters called for President Xi Jinping's resignation following an apartment fire in the northwestern city of Urumqi that killed at least 10 people. They chanted, "Xi Jinping, step down!”

Since 2020, China has used tough measures to curb Covid cases in the country. It adopted the zero-Covid policy to control the rising number of Covid cases. However, the policy backfired on the Chinese authorities as many people slammed strict Covid measures. They expressed concern over the zero-Covid policy because it separated family members from each other and removed people from their homes.

China intensified lengthy quarantines and mass testing campaigns in 2022 as Covid cases continued to increase rapidly. Earlier this year, reports emerged that a toddler was taken away from a parent because he tested positive for Covid-19. 

Human Rights Watch (HRW), the New York-based watchdog, also slammed the Chinese authorities over strict Covid measures. 

Recently, the US also criticized the zero Covid strategies. White House spokesman John Kirby also said that the Chinese people had the right to peacefully protest in the country. 

Last month, citizens in eight districts of Zhengzhou were told to stay home under the Zero Covid policy. 

On Monday, the Chinese authorities eased some Covid restrictions in Urumqi. The regional authorities also said that Urumqi would resume parcel delivery services.