On October 16, the couple, who had planned to visit the Terracotta Warriors, tested positive for the coronavirus. In response, China has implemented lockdowns in a city of 4 million people, as well as in several smaller cities and parts of Beijing, in order to contain a new outbreak that has affected over 240 individuals in 11 provinces and regions. Schools and tourist sites have been closed, and government websites are tracking the couple's movements and interactions in detail. This aggressive reaction reflects China's successful "zero COVID" policy, which has resulted in fewer than 5,000 deaths in the country since the start of the pandemic. The size of the recent outbreak may be small in comparison to other countries, but it is significant for China. China's strict eradication policy now sets it apart as the only country still aiming for complete elimination of the virus, while the rest of the world, including New Zealand and Australia, is reopening. Mi Feng, a spokesperson for the National Health Commission, emphasized the importance of adhering to the policy of preventing external importation and internal resurgence at a news conference on Sunday. The existing control measures must remain in place. The government's stringent approach is a result of specific Chinese considerations. Strong export activity has supported the economy. The Communist Party's firm control allows for efficient implementation of lockdowns and testing. Beijing is preparing to host the Winter Olympics in February. The low number of cases has become a point of pride for many Chinese citizens. China's leader, Xi Jinping, has highlighted the country's success in containment as evidence of the effectiveness of its governance model. However, experts have raised concerns about the sustainability of this approach, warning that China could face increasing isolation both diplomatically and economically as global public opinion turns against it. Political scientist Lynette Ong from the University of Toronto noted that the regime believes it must maintain a 'zero COVID' policy to preserve its legitimacy, but at a significant cost. In the initial stages of the pandemic, the Chinese Communist Party's control over power appeared to rely heavily on its management of the virus. The initial efforts to hide the outbreak in Wuhan sparked a strong public backlash, with images of overwhelmed hospitals and desperate patients circulating on the Chinese internet. However, as the virus spread globally, China's strict lockdowns and mass testing efforts were praised by other countries. Western democracies faced rising death tolls, while Xi Jinping highlighted China's success in quickly reducing its number of cases. Anger over the initial reaction to Wuhan was replaced by strong nationalism, as countries that implemented "zero COVID" policies were praised for prioritizing saving lives over convenience and economic growth. Now, as the virus enters its second year and the more contagious delta variant spreads, countries are reassessing their approaches. Australia, which endured the world's longest lockdown, is removing quarantine rules for vaccinated citizens returning from abroad, while New Zealand has officially given up on achieving zero cases. Singapore is allowing vaccinated tourists from countries like Germany, the United States, and France to travel without quarantine, but China has not changed its stance on quarantine measures. Zhang Wenhong, an infectious disease expert from Shanghai, faced backlash for suggesting that China should learn to coexist with the virus. A former Chinese health minister criticized this mindset as reckless. The Singapore government is concerned about any challenges to its narrative of successfully handling the pandemic. "It has become so common for outbreaks to occur that they are now considered insignificant," she explained. "However, the Chinese government is keen on managing any potential sources of instability, no matter how small. Furthermore, China's reluctance also stems from practical reasons. Major cities have a high concentration of medical resources, and rural areas could easily be overwhelmed by a sudden increase in cases," explained Zhang Jun, an urban studies expert at the City University of Hong Kong. Despite achieving a relatively high vaccination rate of 75% of the population, there are doubts about the effectiveness of China's domestically produced vaccines. For the time being, the elimination strategy seems to have the support of the public." Residents in areas under lockdown have expressed frustration with what they see as arbitrary and strict social media restrictions, but in areas without cases, travel remains relatively unrestricted. Wealthy individuals have been investing in luxury goods and expensive cars instead of spending on international trips. According to Zhang, as long as people can still move around freely, strict COVID-zero policies may not seem too harsh to the domestic audience. Some governments that have previously decided to coexist with the virus may reconsider their approach. Singapore, for example, lifted many restrictions over the summer but reinstated them in September due to a surge in infections. However, the government is continuing to implement travel restrictions. Despite this, experts warn that the consequences of aiming for zero cases will have long-term effects. China's economy is slowing down, with domestic travel decreasing during a recent holiday compared to last year due to a new cluster of cases. Retail sales have been inconsistent, fluctuating with the spread of the virus. Additionally, there may be diplomatic repercussions for the country. Xi has remained in China and not met with foreign visitors since early 2020, while other world leaders are getting ready to attend summits in Rome and Glasgow. China's strict approach is also affecting Hong Kong, where leaders are implementing lengthy quarantines in line with the mainland's policies, despite concerns from business leaders about foreign companies leaving. Some people support the restrictions but are questioning if there is a plan for how to eventually lift them. "If the current situation persists for a prolonged period, such as if the pandemic continues for another five or 10 years or becomes endemic, it may be necessary to consider making some adjustments to existing measures." Some officials have hinted at the possibility of easing restrictions, albeit cautiously. Gao Fu, the director of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suggested in a recent interview that once the country achieves an 85% vaccination rate, it may be time to consider reopening. However, he emphasized the sensitivity of the issue. In the meantime, individuals affected by lockdowns are making the best of their circumstances. Approximately 10,000 tourists are currently stranded in Ejin Banner, Inner Mongolia, due to lockdown measures. To provide some comfort, the local tourism association has offered them free access to three popular tourist sites within the next three years. Copyright 2021 The New York Times Company.