Shanghai Permits 4 Million People , To Leave Their Homes , As Lockdown Eases.<br />Associated Press reports that Shanghai has allowed <br />4 million additional people to leave their homes as <br />COVID restrictions in China's largest city have begun to ease. .<br />Health official Wu Ganyu said at a news conference that nearly 12 million of the 25 million people in Shanghai are now allowed to go outdoors. .<br />Health official Wu Ganyu said at a news conference that nearly 12 million of the 25 million people in Shanghai are now allowed to go outdoors. .<br />AP reports that Wu announced the virus was now “under effective control” in areas of the city.<br />AP reports that Wu announced the virus was now “under effective control” in areas of the city.<br />Wu said that over 4 million people <br />are now in areas where the restriction status <br />has been reduced from closed to controlled. .<br />Large gatherings remain prohibited, <br />and some people can still only <br />travel within their neighborhoods. .<br />AP reports that the lockdown is part <br />of China’s “zero-COVID” strategy.<br />On March 28, most of Shanghai <br />was confined to their homes<br />following a surge in infections. .<br />Those who test positive have been <br />ordered into state-run quarantine <br />centers set up in public buildings. .<br />Meanwhile, as a result of the lockdowns, the International Monetary Fund reduced its forecast for China's economic growth from 4.8% to 4.4%.<br />Meanwhile, as a result of the lockdowns, the International Monetary Fund reduced its forecast for China's economic growth from 4.8% to 4.4%.<br />The IMF added that China's "zero-COVID" lockdown “will likely compound supply disruptions elsewhere” and might contribute to rising inflation
