BEIJING (AFP) - Initial signs showed life was returning to normal in the Chinese capital Thursday after authorities abruptly reversed a hardline Covid policy that has dealt a blow to the world's second-largest economy and sparked rare protests.

On Wednesday, the Chinese National Health Commission announced the easing of restrictions imposed within the framework of the nationwide zero Covid policy, reducing the scope of mandatory examinations, allowing some people who were confirmed to be infected with the epidemic to isolate themselves in their homes, and putting an end to large-scale closure measures.

In a significant softening of President Xi Jinping's policy in dealing with the epidemic, the country's top health authority said the shift in tactics was aimed at helping the country "keep pace with changes".

In the capital, where the high number of injuries forced many to stay in their homes and kept businesses and schools closed, traffic returned to about half its usual intensity Thursday, according to what an AFP journalist reported.

Under the new rules, the frequency and scope of PCR tests, which have long been part of daily life, have been reduced.

But while the number of testing sites around Beijing has been reduced, those that do remain busy as many workplaces still require employees to produce negative tests.

Chen Min, 28, told AFP, "I submitted to be tested after someone in my office tested positive. I hope the infection was not transmitted to me."

Others stated that they came to undergo the examination due to their work in the hospitality sector, where the examinations are still compulsory.

Jang Lan, who works in delivering orders from restaurants, stated that he had to undergo the examination because "the company requested it" to avoid transmitting infection to customers.

In a nearby shopping centre, businesses were open but crowds were few, as guards confirmed visitors' health data, although a negative test result was no longer a requirement for entry.

"It's very quiet. I think people are still afraid to go out," said a Starbucks manager.

China is currently preparing for a wave of infections that is expected to follow the easing of restrictions, as a previous estimate indicated that more than a million people could die from the virus.

At a clinic for patients with fever in the Chaoyang district of Beijing, an AFP reporter saw people lined up around the building.

In another part of the capital, AFP saw customers flocking to a local pharmacy to buy cold and fever medicine.

"We have run out of this type of medicine. We don't even have any vitamin C anymore," said Sun Qing, an employee.

She added that people have been buying these drugs for days in preparation for the easing of restrictions.

"Unfortunately, some people bought much more than they needed. It could last for a year!" she said.

Meanwhile, hundreds of netizens in China honored the memory of the "martyr" doctor Li Wenliang who was the first to report the Covid outbreak.

Lee was among a group of doctors in Wuhan who warned on social media about the spread of a new epidemic similar to "SARS" in December 2019, because the police stopped him at that time on charges of spreading "rumors".

He later died of the coronavirus, remaining a symbol of frustration with the government's suppression of independent voices.

Almost three years after his death, his Weibo account received hundreds of comments after officials announced Wednesday the easing of Covid restrictions.

One of the commentators described him as "the brave man who turned into a hero without prior intent ... and a martyr."

Another wrote, "Whistleblowers are always worth remembering... I look forward to a more transparent society."

While some paid tribute to Lee's bravery, others took the occasion to express their displeasure with the tightening Covid rules and their concern over the sudden change in government policy.

“I don’t know if you will be disappointed” with the government’s change of policy, someone wrote, “but as a PCR worker, I am exhausted chasing after positive cases. There are so many samples to deal with and endless information to go into the system amidst a high tide of general complaints.

Another said, "It's over, my friend! I was worried about the epidemic and you are on your death bed... Finally, spring has come!"