Shanghai authorities will gradually allow the reopening of businesses, including shopping malls and hair salons from Monday

China’s financial and manufacturing hub has been under strict Covid lockdown for weeks, with millions of residents essentially trapped in their homes.

Shanghai is hoping these next few days will mark its final push in its campaign against the virus.

Shopping malls, department stores, and supermarkets will begin resuming in-store operations.

Hair salons and vegetable markets will also reopen with social distancing requirements and density limits in force.

But some of the 25 million residents are questioning whether the reopenings will actually happen, reacting negatively online to the official announcements.

China has largely been able to keep COVID case numbers to a minimum, but is struggling to contain the highly-infectious Omicron variant.

The World Health Organisation recently warned the nation’s approach is not “sustainable”… but the country is expected to stay the course until the next congress of the ruling Communist Party.

This is when President Xi Jinping is expected to secure a third term as leader.