China's new COVID-19 management measures significantly ease burdens on individuals and businesses, boosting economic prospects and stemming the immediate risk of renewed lockdowns and protests, though they could reemerge over the next year. On Dec. 7, China's National Health Commission (NHC) released 10 new COVID-19 management measures, which include allowing asymptomatic and mild cases to isolate at home for seven days and close contacts to isolate at home for five days; not requiring regular testing for most people or health codes for most public venues; not blocking domestic travel except for to high-risk areas; not requiring testing for domestic and inbound travel; and isolating lockdowns to high-risk areas by building and apartment, not by community or street. It also forbade business and manufacturing disruptions in non-high-risk areas and the sealing shut of doors or other exits of buildings. In a Dec. 7 press conference regarding the changes, NHC spokesperson Mi...
