Even with Zero COVID policy, China faces worst COVID-19 crisis since Wuhan outbreak; here’s all you need to know

Since March 2020, China has imposed strict lockdowns and restrictions in the country, known as “dynamic zero” strategy, meaning tight lockdowns and immediate mass testing. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, the country further tightened the measures so as to stop the spread of the highly transmissible variant.

The “zero COVID policy” is the Chinese government’s way of tackling the COVID-19 crisis and so far, it is said to have contained over 30 outbreaks of COVID-19, including the ones that were driven by the Delta.

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Unlike lockdown strategies in other countries, China’s “zero COVID” is extremely rigid. Besides banning people from leaving their houses or buildings, people can also be compelled to stay inside their hotel rooms if they’re considered to be high-risk contacts.

Public places like schools, supermarkets, tourist areas and malls have been under lockdown and with the help of mandatory track-and-trace apps, close contacts are usually identified and quarantined immediately. But what’s surprising to note is that even under the country’s stringent lockdown policy, China faces its worst outbreak in two years.