Amid these developments, Chinese authorities have suspended or closed the social media accounts of more than 1,000 critics of its policies on the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the popular Sina Weibo platform, it has addressed 12,854 violations and issued either temporary or permanent bans on 1,120 accounts.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese authorities have taken a variety of measures to manage the spread of the virus. These include instituting strict limits on freedom of speech and enacting a range of lockdowns, quarantine measures, and mass testing. However, as the restrictions have been rolled back, there has been a surge in new cases, leading to public anger and protest. In response, the government has made adjustments to its policies, such as no longer bringing criminal charges against people accused of violating border quarantine regulations. It has also called on travelers to reduce trips and gatherings and ended the requirement for students at city schools to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter campus.
At the same time, the lack of data from China, including the number of deaths, infections and severe cases, as well as the potential emergence of new variants, has prompted governments elsewhere to institute virus testing requirements for travelers from China. The World Health Organization has also expressed concern. As the Lunar New Year travel rush approaches, the Transportation Ministry has called on travelers to wear masks and pay attention to hygiene. Moreover, China is planning to end mandatory quarantines for people arriving from abroad beginning Sunday, and Hong Kong is reopening some of its border crossings with mainland China.
Finally, Chinese authorities have suspended or closed the social media accounts of more than 1,000 critics of its policies on the COVID-19 outbreak. This has been done according to the popular Sina Weibo platform, which has addressed 12,854 violations and issued either temporary or permanent bans on 1,120 accounts.