People in Beijing are permitted to enter parks, stores, offices, and airports without proof of a negative COVID-19 test as a result of a nationwide easing of restrictions in the wake of historic protests.

"Beijing readies itself for life anew," read the headline of a government-owned tabloid, China Daily, which added that citizens were "gradually embracing" their newfound liberties.

Three years into the pandemic, authorities have loosened some of the world's strictest COVID-19 restrictions and softened their tone on the threat posed by the virus, which many hope could signal a more dramatic return to normalcy.

On Tuesday, official media stated that Beijing has eliminated the need for exams to ride the metro and that neither of the city's airports requires examinations to enter the terminal.

Further loosening of rules imminent

There was no hint that the rules requiring travelers to present negative tests before boarding will be altered.

After a wave of rallies this month, which represented the largest display of public anger in mainland China since President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2012, additional easing seems likely.

China may publish ten new national easing measures as early as Wednesday, according to two sources familiar with the situation who spoke to Reuters.

The possibility of additional relaxation of the rules has inspired confidence among investors that the world's second-largest economy will regain momentum and contribute to the expansion of the global economy.

In anticipation of the ultimate reopening of China's economy, the Chinese yuan has gained almost 5% against the dollar since early November.

People slow to react to changes

On the ground, though, many individuals have been slow to adapt to the new guidelines.

In key cities such as Beijing and Chongqing, commuter traffic has remained at a quarter of usual levels.

Some people, especially the elderly, are still fearful of contracting the virus, and there is concern about the strain the relaxation could place on China's frail health system.

As of Monday, China had registered 5235 COVID-19-related deaths, but some experts have cautioned that the death toll might exceed one million if the withdrawal is rushed.

Nomura analysts estimate that areas currently under lockdown account for approximately 19.3% of China's overall GDP, which is similar to the size of India's economy but is down from 25.1% on Monday.

Since the beginning of October, this is the first decrease in Nomura's carefully followed China COVID lockdown index.

Officials play down the dangers of the virus

Officials continue to downplay the threats posed by the virus, putting China closer to what other nations have said for over a year as they have reduced restrictions and chosen to live with the infection.

According to Chinese state television, Tong Zhaohui, head of the Beijing Institute of Respiratory Diseases, stated on Monday that the latest Omicron form of the disease produced fewer cases of severe sickness than the 2009 worldwide influenza outbreak.

Reuters reported on Monday that China's management of the disease could be reduced as early as January, from the current top-level Category A to the less stringent Category B.

In a commentary published late on Monday, the official Xinhua news agency declared, "The most difficult phase has gone," citing the waning virulence of the virus and attempts to vaccine 90 percent of the population.

Analysts now anticipate that China may reopen its economy and eliminate border controls sooner than anticipated in 2019.