The COVID-19 situation in Shanghai and Beijing seems to be inversely proportional. The disease has tightened its grip on the capital city while the financial hub finally sees some signs of recovery.

A substantial percentage of the 25 million population of Shanghai was permitted to leave quarantine on Sunday as the city registered its second straight day with no COVID-19 cases outside containment zones.

Beijing on the other hand has been conducting mass testing throughout the city, as per its “zero-COVID” policy. However, the treatment Beijing has received is slightly different than that of Shanghai.

With more than 300 locally transmitted cases being reported since April 22, the capital city has not been locked down by authorities. Dozens of fresh infections are still being recorded every day, according to reports from Reuters.

The holidays, however, are likely to be lowkey for both cities. All restaurants in Beijing are closed to dine-in customers from Sunday through the end of the holiday on Wednesday, open only for takeout and delivery. Parks and tourist attractions in the Chinese capital are limited to 50% of their capacity.

Most of Beijing’s COVID-19 infections have been reported in the district of Chaoyang. Public health officials have been going door-to-door collecting samples for testing. While lockdowns have still not been announced, Shanghai was restricted for much less.

The economic blowout

China’s manufacturing activity fell to a six-month low in April as lockdowns continued in Shanghai and other manufacturing hubs in an attempt to stem COVID-19 outbreaks, according to reports from Associated Press citing a survey released on Saturday.

The monthly purchasing managers’ index, released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics, fell to 47.4 in April, down from 49.5 in March on a 100-point scale. Numbers below 50 show activity contracting.