By: Ryann Rodney
While Covid-19 is on a downward trend due to vaccines and herd immunity, China has taken further steps to eradicate the virus. The Zero-Covid policy is legislation in China that allows the government to carry out testing and quarantine policies. While initially sounding normal in concept, in practice, the policy has wreaked havoc on the daily lives of Chinese citizens. Depending on the severity of the cases, people infected with the virus are either quarantined or hospitalized. People considered close contacts, a phrase with a broad definition, are also quarantined. If the epidemic is deemed severe enough, entire cities can be locked down, such as Shanghai was in the spring of 2022. Zero-Covid has impacted China's economy, overall quality of life, and travel. Lockdowns in some situations have led to food shortages, causing residents to go hungry without aid from the government. In addition, foreigners entering the country must endure ten days of quarantine in secluded hotel rooms, causing tourism to go down. Despite its economy losing out and citizens' continued daily lives being interrupted, China's Zero-Covid Policy will continue to stay in effect.
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