‘Why didn’t we do this before’: China cheers Covid, travel searches rise | World news
Inquiries on Chinese travel sites have increased as social media platforms are filled with excitement and relief on Wednesday as residents undergo a major lifting of Covid restrictions. As China changes its Covid restrictions – one of the world’s strictest travel platforms from Trip.com to Qunar said that demand for air tickets to cities such as the tourist spots of Sanya and Harbin jumped as seven times, Reuters reported.
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The relaxation of the rules includes allowing infected people with mild or no symptoms to isolate at home and dropping tests for people traveling at home. Frustration with the cooking laws led to widespread protests late last month.
But Wednesday’s announcement quickly became the most viewed topic on China’s Weibo platform, Reuters reported.
“The epidemic has been going on for three years, this is a history-making day,” said one Weibo user.
“Daylight is here,” wrote another.
“A year ago the rest of the world did this, so why didn’t we do this earlier?” one user wrote on WeChat. “People are so tired,” wrote another.
Read more: China announces nationwide launch of Covid restrictions after massive protests
The news was also welcomed by foreign business groups as the European Chamber of Commerce in China said, “Timely implementation will help stabilize China’s economy and get life back to normal.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce in China said it views any policy that refers to openness as positive, Reuters reported.
