Shanghai Prepares , To Lift COVID Lockdown, and Ease Restrictions.br Shanghai is preparing for its br two-month-long lockdown br to be lifted at midnight on June 1.br Reuters reports that the fences br around housing compounds and publicbr venues are in the process of being dismantled. .br Reuters reports that the fences br around housing compounds and publicbr venues are in the process of being dismantled. .br Reuters reports that the strictly-enforced lockdown has resulted in lost income, stress and despair for br people struggling to access food and healthcare.br The prolonged lockdown in the city br of 25 million people has been met with br widespread public anger and rare protests. .br The prolonged lockdown in the city br of 25 million people has been met with br widespread public anger and rare protests. .br The lockdown has also brought manufacturing br and exports to a halt, disrupting global supply br chains and slowed international trade.br On June 1, a residential pass program br will be scrapped, public transit will reopen, br and residents will be allowed to return to work.br This is a day that we dreamed of for a very br long time. Everyone has sacrificed a lot. br This day has been hard-won, and br we need to cherish and protect it, br and welcome back the Shanghai br we are familiar with and missed, Yin Xin, Shanghai government spokeswoman, via Reuters.br This is a day that we dreamed of for a very br long time. Everyone has sacrificed a lot. br This day has been hard-won, and br we need to cherish and protect it, br and welcome back the Shanghai br we are familiar with and missed, Yin Xin, Shanghai government spokeswoman, via Reuters.br Reuters reports that restrictions br will be loosened for about br 22.5 million people in low-risk areas. .br Shanghai residents will still reportedly br be required to wear masks in public br and avoid large gatherings.br Inside dining remains banned, shops will br be required to operate at 75 capacity, br and gyms will be reopened at a later date.br Residents will also be required to br submit to COVID testing every 72 hours in order br to take public transit or enter public venues.