Time to fully reboot the economy: China Daily editorial

The country appears to be quickly going through the most difficult stage of the epidemic after the easing of its mobility controls that had been enforced for three years.

Over the past three weeks since the country optimized its pandemic prevention and control measures, the novel coronavirus has been spreading fast in neighborhoods. Most of the first and second batches of people infected in this wave have already recovered, and the third batch is nearing the end of its rehabilitation. With nationwide herd immunity quickly being formed, the foundation for the resumption of normal economic activities is being laid.

The number of deaths caused by the virus has remained at a very low level — in Beijing, a city with more than 20 million residents, COVID deaths over the past three weeks have remained at a single digit — and enough precautions have been made to prepare for the possible resurgence of cases in the rural areas during the Spring Festival holiday when people are expected to return to their hometowns for long-delayed family reunions.

As a matter of fact, it seems that the infection gap between cities and villages is not as wide as it was thought to be, as a herd immunity is also being developed quickly in the rural regions without causing a perceivable rise in the number of deaths attributable to COVID.

That people are keen to pick up their lives again after the three-year enforced hiatus can be seen in the increasing hustle and bustle on roads and in shops. The quick recovery of the logistics system — most couriers having recovered after succumbing in the first wave of infections — as well as the slew of pro-business, pro-consumption and pro-job policies many local governments have rolled out speak volumes of the nation's readiness, if not determination, to reboot the economy as soon as possible.

Yet, more must be done to sustain people's confidence. The supply of anti-fever and anti-inflammatory medicines needs to be sufficient to meet people's needs and medical care resources need to be available for severe cases. The public also needs greater awareness of what to expect now that the controls have been eased and those that have recovered from their infection are being encouraged to go back to work as soon as possible.

Every war leaves mental scars for the survivors. And the war against the virus is no exception. Counselling should be available to the public to relieve any anxieties over the uncertainties and risks associated with reopening, particularly those grassroots civil servants and medical workers who have suffered from the extreme pressure of being on the front line of the fight with the virus, and children.

With the light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel becoming increasingly visible, the country can hopefully look forward to the conclusion of its protracted struggle with the virus as new vaccines and treatments make the virus more manageable.