Zero-COVID

N Korea lets citizens abroad return in easing of Covid isolation

North Korea has allowed citizens stranded abroad by its strict Covid curbs to return home, state media reported Sunday, as the country moves towards a full reopening after three years of pandemic isolation.

The country had sealed its borders since early 2020 to protect itself from Covid-19, which prevented even its own nationals from returning.

Macau is in Lockdown for the first time since the start of the Pandemic

Macau has been under its first lockdown since the start of the pandemic on Monday to stop the worst wave of the coronavirus so far, AFP and Reuters reported. The measure was introduced for a week by authorities in the Chinese special administrative region after more than 1,500 cases of the coronavirus were detected in the past three weeks despite widespread testing.

China’s factories creep back to life as Covid curbs ease

The contraction gripping China's manufacturing sector slowed in May, data showed Tuesday, as some factories gradually resumed work after the easing of strict Covid lockdowns.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) -- a key gauge of manufacturing activity -- edged up to 49.6, officials said, from April's 47.4, which was the worst reading since early 2020.

China premier issues warning on COVID-hit economy

China's premier has sounded an unusually stark warning about the world's second-largest economy, saying it must return to normal as the country's zero-Covid strategy bites into growth.    

China is the last major economy welded to a policy of mass testing and rapid lockdowns to eliminate virus clusters, but the strict curbs have battered businesses.    

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