China local govts. urge people to return to workplace despite infection surge

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221219_31/

Some local governments in China are urging people to return to their workplaces despite a resurgence in coronavirus infections.

Infections have been spreading in Beijing and other places since the central government eased its virus control measures on December 7.

Beijing's government lifted restrictions on commuting across districts and on the number of people going to work. The city adopted a slogan that means "return to the workplace to resume production."

The inland city of Chongqing also eased some restrictions. Its government said on Sunday that infected executives and employees of government agencies and businesses who are asymptomatic or show only minor symptoms can go to work if they take anti-infection measures.

The number of people in Beijing's entertainment and shopping areas has increased, but remains low.

Observers say the local governments want economic activities to return to normal quickly, but many people are concerned about the spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, the central government says two people infected with the virus died in the capital on Sunday. They are the first reported COVID-19 deaths in about two weeks.

But media in Taiwan and Hong Kong report that the actual figures are larger.