Chinese health authority adjusts Covid prevention and control measures

Passengers, some wearing personal protective gear to halt the spread of Covid-19, queue at a train station in Beijing. Credit: AFP Photo

China's main health authority on Friday adjusted Covid-19 prevention and control measures, saying it aimed to optimise clinical categorisation and treatment nearly a month after it scrapped a rigid zero-Covid policy.

The National Health Commission said it would add positive antigen tests as a diagnostic standard and adjust the criteria for discharging Covid patients from hospital.

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The adjustments came in the 10th edition of the commission's policies on Covid.

On December 7, the commission announced the most significant relaxation of its Covid prevention and control protocols since the pandemic began three years ago, abandoning its tough zero-Covid policy after unprecedented protests against the rules.