Soaring number of COVID cases in China decreases the population’s activity

A sharp increase in the COVID incidence in China made people leave their houses less often. This provoked a slump in the tourist industry and a decrease in economic activity because of the diminution in fuel demand. 

The recent removal of anti-COVID restrictions resulted in a growing number of COVID-19 cases. Such a situation doesn’t allow the citizens of Beijing, Shanghai, and other megalopolises to leave their houses.

Several indicators of geographic mobility have decreased, such as the number of traffic jams, domestic flights, and subway rides.

Currently, the incidence in 15 biggest cities is 56% lower than in January 2021. This is less than in the spring during the lockdown in Shanghai and other megalopolises. The only exception is the period of the Lunar New Year at the beginning of February. At this time, people were leaving cities to return home, so restaurants and businesses were closed.

The rise in domestic flights didn’t last for too long, and the number of canceled trips increased. According to preliminary data from VariFligh, on Thursday, the number of flights was reduced by 42% compared to 2019.