In Beijing, the capital of China, where deaths were recorded again after 6 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, some schools were closed and the measures were tightened.
While three people aged 87 to 91 died in Beijing on November 19 and 20 after being diagnosed with Covid-19, China’s National Health Commission did not disclose the vaccination status of these people with chronic diseases.
The number of new cases across China approached the peak in April: 26,824. One of the centers of the last wave, a 5-day full closure decision was made in Baiyun, the most populous district of Guanco, the industrial city with a population of 19 million in the south, and entry to crowded places such as restaurants and cinemas in other districts. prohibited.
A total of 962 new cases were detected in the capital on 20 November, 266 of which were in the widespread screening outside the quarantine zones. The number of people who tested positive was 621 on 19 November. On top of the rapid increase, a three-day quarantine requirement was imposed on those arriving in Beijing from other cities.
Liu Xiaofeng, Deputy Director of the Beijing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, held a press conference on November 21:
“The city is experiencing the most complex and serious state of prevention and control since the beginning of the coronavirus epidemic.”
In the 3.5 million-population Caoyang district, where Beijing’s shopping malls and diplomatic representations are concentrated, schools have switched to distance education, while restaurants have started to serve only outside. Authorities announced that people who go out must show a negative Covid-19 test result taken within the last 48 hours.
The Chinese government, which has been implementing drastic measures defined as “zero Covid cases” since the beginning of the pandemic, announced on November 11 that it would take partially more flexible and limited measures to local regions.
Due to the increase in cases in the world’s second largest economy, where the production bases of world giants such as Apple are located, a decrease was recorded in Asian stock markets and oil prices on November 21. Oxford Economics experts reported in their briefing that they do not expect a return to normal until the middle of next year:
“From an epidemiological and political perspective, we don’t think the country is ready to open up.”
Liu Şicin, Vice Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee of the People’s Political Consultative Conference (ÇHSDK), China’s advisory body, stated that the country’s economy has grown below its potential in the last 3 years after the Covid-19 outbreak and emphasized that growth should be brought to an appropriate level again.
Speaking at the economic forum held in Beijing on November 20, Liu said that the measures to stimulate the real estate sector and the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions will create favorable conditions for economic recovery.
The Chinese economy is expected to grow 3.5 percent this year. The economy, which grew by 2.2 percent in 2020, when the pandemic peaked, grew by 8.1 percent last year with the base effect.
Liu pointed out that the average of three years will remain below 5 percent, and pointed out that the growth average should be increased to 5 to 5.5 percent.