Roxanne Liu and David Stanway

SHANGHAI/BEIJING – Shanghai made further steps Friday towards lifting COVID-19’s lockdown, while Beijing investigated cases in which its restrictive curbs had adversely affected other medical treatment. China is continuing its slow exit from restrictions.

Hot spots include the financial center and capital, which were subject to a two-month lockdown in order to stop a coronavirus surge in Shanghai. Tight movement restrictions in Beijing to end a smaller but persistent outbreak of the virus have also been implemented.

Even though most countries want to go back to normal, the curbs have hampered the second largest economy in the world.

China’s economy has been regaining its footing, although data indicates only a partial and slow recovery. Businesses from chipmakers to retailers have warned of slower sales, as Chinese consumers slash their spending.

The city’s State Grid’s Ruan Qiantu told reporters that electricity consumption in Shanghai by its large industrial firms rose steadily over the past three weeks to 83% of 2021 levels.

Ruan stated that the utility would work hard to prevent outages when demand rises and summer peak consumption approaches. We are responding actively to enterprises’ demands.”

Shanghai, China’s largest city and most populous, is aiming to end the lockdown on Wednesday. The authorities have allowed more people to leave their houses over the last week, and they have also permitted more businesses to reopen. However, most people are still locked inside their homes and shops cannot deliver.

Pudong district, which is home to Port of Shanghai (the city’s biggest airport and main financial centre), reopened 115 bus routes Friday. After reopening four subway lines on Sunday and over 250 bus routes, the city slowly expands public transportation.

The Shanghai Daily reports that more than 30 parks were reopening as of Thursday. Visitor numbers are now below half of the maximum, and they have a total of 30. On Tuesday, 70 parks more will be reopened.

Shanghai had a lower daily COVID caseload than 300. There were no cases in quarantined areas as this has been for the majority of the last two weeks. Beijing saw 29 daily cases, an increase from the 45 reported yesterday.

Capital has increased quarantines, reduced workforce attendance and clamped down on those who disregard instructions this week. Other problems have sometimes resulted from this rigid approach.

Beijing officials are currently investigating instances of delay in treatment for patients suffering from acute illnesses, while some officers working as emergency service personnel have been dismissed, People’s Daily reported on Friday.

Song, a farmer wrote via social media that his 32year-old son was dead. He died after waiting over an hour in pain and chest discomfort for an ambulance. Song claimed that he received mixed messages about whether or not his son would be allowed to stay at the hospital due to COVID restrictions.

Song wrote that the practice “caused irreparable loss to a family of peasants with one son” on Thursday.

Earlier this year, in Shanghai and Xian, there was outrage over slow access to medical treatment for pregnant women during lockdowns.

GRINDING

According to data released Friday, April was the slowest month for profits in China’s industrial companies in over two years. This is due to high raw materials prices and long supply chains that slowed down factory activity.

Global auto sales have dropped dramatically. Gaming consoles are less popular and people are reluctant to get new phones or laptops.

However, this month saw some improvements.

Xpeng (NYSE) is going to accelerate deliveries, after it resumed double-shift production at the plant in Zhaoqing south in May. This was reported by Chairman He Xiaopeng.

Tesla (NASDAQ) has added another shift to its Shanghai plant.

Alibaba (NYSE:) Group cited Pandemic-related Risks and Other Uncertainties on Thursday to justify not issuing a forecast in its next business year.

China’s central banking said Thursday that it will encourage smaller businesses to get credit.