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New year, old fears - 2nd February 2022

As the Chinese New Year holiday begins, people across China flock to the train stations to start their journeys home. For many, this is the first opportunity they have had to travel and to see their families since Covid-19 struck.

Shao: "Naturally we're a little worried, but we did some research and I know we're not in the mid-high risk area, so we really hope to be able to go home and be with our family. "

Though people are able to travel to and from Shanghai, in other parts of the country, strict lockdowns remain in place. In the western city of Xi’an, a strict lockdown was enforced in January, with residents not even allowed out to shop for groceries.

Even those able to travel are subject to strict testing. Chen is a school teacher who wanted to travel to see her parents.

Chen: "24 hours before leaving Shanghai, I need to do a Covid test. After arriving home, I need to do a test within 24 hours. And there are new rules this year that 48 hours before coming back to Shanghai I need to do a test. Then after arriving in Shanghai, another test. Then, another test within 48 hours of returning to work. So, even though I'm going home for only five days, I need to do five Covid tests. "

As China plays host to the Winter Olympics, beginning during the festivities, authorities are keen to ensure that no further outbreaks of Covid-19 put the games at risk. Given the virus has reached endemic status and the country's hit an 85 percent vaccination rate, leading scientists and officials within the country are calling for a relaxation of rules.

However, the Lunar New Year is a major holiday in China and most of Southeast Asia. Hence, this station scene will be repeated around the region with people anxious to be with their families once more.

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