China enacted a similar traffic light change after one case was detected in November, only to repeal it amid outcry on social media.
The rigid implementation of lockdown rules in the western Chinese city of Xi’an earlier in the year initially made it difficult to get medical care, before changes were enacted.
Two pregnant women suffered miscarriages, while two other people died from heart attacks. Beijing has also taken note of brewing discontent arising from everything from pandemic travel bans to insufficient preparation in caring for people’s basic needs during quarantine stints.
Top health officials have spoken about increasing vigilance in combating Covid’s covert spread, both to quash infections before they take root and to minimize disruptions to normal life.