China: Authorities in Shanghai to lift COVID-19 curbs on businesses and ease some testing requirements from June 1 /update 10

Event

Authorities in Shanghai will ease some COVID-19 measures for businesses and testing requirements from June 1 amid lower COVID-19 activity. Companies will no longer require approval from the government to resume operations; however, business establishments in areas with strict lockdown measures in place will most likely remain closed. Additionally, individuals entering public venues or taking public transport will need to present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours instead of 42 hours previously.

Public transport, including bus, metro, and rail services, has gradually resumed. Authorities have resumed services on metro lines 3, 6, 10, and 16, and at least 273 bus routes. Intercity bus services likely remain suspended. Taxis and private cars are allowed in areas with low COVID-19 activity in Fengxian and Jingshan districts and Pudong New Area. Passenger flights at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) have also partially resumed following an earlier suspension due to COVID-19 concerns. Increased health screenings will likely continue at PVG, SHA, and other passenger transport hubs in Shanghai.

Authorities in Shanghai continue to implement a three-zone lockdown approach due to COVID-19 concerns. Locations are designated as closed, control, or prevention, depending on COVID-19 activity, with the following restrictions:

Lockdown: Areas that have reported a COVID-19 case in the previous seven days. Residents cannot leave their homes for 14 days; authorities will deliver food and essential groceries to the affected households. If a case occurs during the 14-day period, authorities will lock down the resident's building until reaching 14 days from the initial designation.

Control: Locations without any COVID-19 cases in the previous seven days. People in these locations may leave their homes at staggered hours and move around within their compound or community under strict precautionary measures. Individuals may also collect food deliveries at designated locations. Gatherings are prohibited.

Prevention: Areas without any COVID-19 cases for two weeks. Residents in these areas must continue to reduce their movement but can travel within their sub-district, except for any control or closed locations. Travel between sub-districts is prohibited. Local authorities in some communities have issued temporary passes to each household allowing one person to leave at a time. Certain essential businesses may operate with capacity limits.

District-level officials will provide a list of specific places and designations, and curbs will vary across Shanghai's 16 districts. The locations in each category are likely to change depending on COVID activity before officials ease restrictions across the municipality. As of May 30, there are at least 637 lockdown areas, 6,052 control areas, and 63,465 prevention areas.

Authorities have advised residents not to leave Shanghai unless necessary, though individuals may leave for urgent reasons such as work and medical treatment. Outbound travelers must obtain an exit permit from authorities which will be valid for six hours, and present results of a negative nucleic acid test and antigen test taken within 48 and 24 hours, respectively. Officials do not require antigen tests for travelers who receive a nucleic acid test within 24 hours of departure. Passengers traveling to Shanghai by air must present a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 48 hours before departure. A ban on interprovincial group tourism likely remains in place. Provincial and municipal governments in other areas of China will probably require individuals recently in Shanghai to undergo COVID-19 testing and/or mandatory quarantine periods.

The government allows factories to operate under a closed-loop system where employees live and work on-site and undergo regular testing. Nevertheless, factories in areas under lockdown may remain closed. Cargo processing delays and disruptions are ongoing at the Port of Shanghai due to a shortage of port workers and truck drivers, while logistics sites and warehouses in the city may limit operations. Truck drivers must hold a pass issued by the Shanghai Port Group and hold both a negative nucleic acid test result taken within 48 hours and a negative antigen test result taken within 24 hours.

Advice

Strictly heed the instructions of authorities. Confirm appointments and transport arrangements, especially at PVG and SHA. Remain cooperative if approached and questioned by law enforcement officers.