WHO chief hits out at China’s zero Covid policy: ‘It’s not sustainable’

WHO chief hits out at China’s zero Covid policy: ‘It’s not sustainable’
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 11/05/2022

- 16:29

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:28

The policy has placed hundreds of millions of people across large parts of the country under movement restrictions

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) director-general has hit out at China’s zero Covid policy.

The policy has placed hundreds of millions of people across large parts of the country under movement restrictions in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.


The most dramatic measures are in Shanghai, who are now in their sixth week of a strict lockdown.

Despite officials saying that half the city had now achieved “zero Covid” status, they added that restrictions would remain in place.

A man wearing a face mask crosses a road at the Central Business District (CBD), amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Beijing, China May 10, 2022. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins
CARLOS GARCIA RAWLINS

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
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But WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has slammed the policy, urging for China to shift its strategy.

He said: “As we all know, the virus is evolving, changing its behaviours, becoming more transmissible.

“With that changing behaviour, changing your measures will be very important.

“When we talk about the zero-Covid strategy, we don't think it's sustainable.

“Considering the behaviour of the virus I think a shift (in China's strategy) will be very important."

China's foreign ministry has since hit back at the WHO’s comments, urging Mr Ghebreyesus to avoid making "irresponsible" remarks.

Speaking at a regular news conference in Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian defended China's measures on fighting the pandemic.

He said China hoped the WHO director-general would view China's Covid policies objectively.

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