SHANGHAI/BEIJING – Shanghai has reached the long-awaited milestone, three days in succession with no COVID-19 new cases. But most people will need to remain inside for a time before returning to a normal routine.

Other cities in China are also under lockdown. A third day without any new cases usually signifies “zero COVID” status, and that the restrictions will be lifted.

This commercial hub with 25 million inhabitants set Monday the clearest timeline yet to end a lockdown, now in its seventh-week. But many of those who had been living in isolation for extended times were skeptical.

Shanghai intends to restart outdoor activities in stages. Convenience stores and pharmacies may reopen in this week’s time, while most restraints on movement will remain in place through May 21. Then, all other public transportation services will be resumed gradually.

Although the lockdown is expected to be lifted in June, residents are still required to be tested often.

People were more allowed to go out this week. Some joggers, dog walkers and others were also spotted. A man was caught fishing on the Shanghai River.

Many residential areas were still enclosed by tall fences. There were also very few private vehicles on the roads. The majority of people were still in their homes.

While it wasn’t clear exactly how many shops had reopened this week, the delivery apps suggested that there was slightly less demand for their services Tuesday.

On Monday, the Communist Party’s People’s Daily published photographs that claimed to show openings of restaurants, hair salons and breakfast joint on social media.

However, one user on social media called it “nonsense”

“We were locked up at home for 2 months. Anyone else than Shanghaiers should read this story.

The post was deleted Tuesday morning.

Another state-backed media outlet posted a video confirming the reopening. Alibaba Freshippo grocery store. Showing about 10 employees in hazmat suits creating heart shapes with their hands. Only two of them looked like shoppers.

Signs at the front of the shop indicated that customers must have passed a negative COVID screening. This is a certificate that they can leave their home with a mobile app showing current information.

There are only 20 people who can enter the shop at once.

Shanghai saw fewer than 1,000 cases during May 16. All of these were in areas with the highest control. No new cases were reported in areas that are more open to the disease, which was monitored by the monitoring team to assess progress towards eradicating it.

‘PERSISTENT DRAG’

Beijing had 52 cases in the most recent day. Authorities discovered a handful of new infections almost every day despite tightening restrictions for the last three weeks.

In the capital, dine-in restaurants are prohibited. Some malls are closed and public transportation is restricted. Many residents are advised to work at home.

The economic chaos caused by Shanghai’s lockdown, and other curbs placed in major cities in China this week was evident in data. Retail sales fell at an alarming rate and industrial output plunged to their lowest point in two years.

China’s rigid “zero COVID” policy has placed many millions of people and workers in various restrictions. At a moment when most of the world lifts them from the virus, the spread of infections continues.

The difficulty in eliminating new diseases, demonstrated by Beijing’s efforts, makes it questionable whether there will be a sustainable return to normality once the restrictions are removed.

China’s commitment to zero-COVID policies, no matter what economic cost, is a sign that there will be questions regarding the outlook.

Societe Generale (OTC) strategists wrote in a note, “The speed of recovery is likely depend on the pace of normalisation Shanghai and Beijing”

The zero-COVID strategy may be persistently detrimental on both of these points.”