Xi calls for "concrete steps" to "protect" China's population from the coronavirus pandemic

MADRID, 26 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The president of China, Xi Jinping, has demanded this Monday to reinforce the health campaigns and "concrete steps" to protect the health of the population, in his first public statements since the authorities began to relax the harsh restrictions imposed in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. .

"The situation of prevention and control of the pandemic faces new situations and tasks", said the president, who stressed that "it is necessary to carry out patriotic health campaigns more precisely", according to what the chain of Chinese CCTV television.

Thus, he has appealed for a "mass mobilization" to reinforce awareness campaigns and "improve the lines of social defense for the prevention of epidemics" with the aim of "effectively protecting the life and health of the population" in the asian giant.

China's National Health Commission announced on Sunday that it will stop publishing daily coronavirus cases as the country sees a surge in cases after easing some restrictions. Some 248 million people in China, 18 percent of the population, have tested positive for coronavirus in the first three weeks of December.

It has recently softened some of its measures under the argument that the cases of the new omicron variant are less serious. However, this certain laxity would also be motivated by the discontent shown by the population towards these restrictions.