Zhengzhou ends mobility management period

Authorities in Zhengzhou, Henan province, will lift a citywide lockdown on Tuesday at midnight, ending a five-day "mobility management" period that put the city of 12.7 million to a regulated standstill to halt the spread of an Omicron-fueled local outbreak, local officials said late on Tuesday.

However, restrictions will be kept in place in residential buildings deemed risky, and nonessential travel across the city's districts or leaving the provincial capital is still discouraged, Li Huifang, deputy secretary-general of the Zhengzhou municipal government, said at a news conference held late Tuesday.

"Since Nov 25, thanks to the concerted efforts of the public, the number of infections, as well as those detected outside quarantine facilities, has decreased significantly," Li said while delivering a public letter addressed to Zhengzhou residents.

Supermarkets, barbershops and restaurants, among others, will return to normalcy, however internet bars, massage parlors and beauty salons are among the entertainment venues that will remain closed for at least another week, she said.

Visitors from out of town need negative test results from within 48 hours, and those from outside the province need to test upon arrival and daily for the first three days in the city, Li added.

Li Xiaohong, chief physician at the city's disease control center, said insomnia, depression and anxiety were among the major issues callers to the city's psychological hotline reported.

She suggested residents exercise, go to bed at a regular time and talk more with families and friends.

She encouraged residents to call 0371-89812345/967886, the 24-hour hotline, if they are still having problems.