China witnessed the biggest demonstration against President Xi Jinping since he came to power over the recent COVID-19 related restrictions imposed by authorities to limit the spread of the virus.

Without saying it was a response to the protests, some cities and regions began relaxing Covid-19 controls, in moves that heralded a nationwide loosening of the rules unveiled by the National Health Commission (NHC) on Wednesday, reports The Straits Times.

The NHC said infected people with mild symptoms can now quarantine at home and it dropped the need for testing and health status apps for a variety of activities including travelling around the country.

“I know Covid-19 is not so ‘horrifying’ now, but it is still contagious and will hurt,” said one post on the Weibo platform as quoted by The Straits Times. “The fear brought to our heart cannot be easily dissipated.”

China reported 21,439 new Covid-19 infections on Dec 7.