"The epidemic has been effectively controlled," with the city set to resume life "in an orderly manner," local authorities said.

Five million foreign tourists have arrived so far this year, expecting to rise to 10 million by the end of the year, finance minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said.

The number of people who made road trips during the Sept 10-12 holiday was down by 37% while the number of people who flew was down by nearly 60%, state media said

Japan's economy expanded an annualised 2.2% in April-June, staging a slower-than-expected rebound from a Covid-induced slump.

China's demand for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel could fall by 380,000 barrels a day this year - the first decline in 20 years, largely because of Covid curbs

Covid test kit supplier Andon Health reported a net profit increase of 27,728%, breaking a record for any listed company in mainland China, CNN said

The misery continues in the southwestern city, where residents have endured a two-month-long heatwave, an earthquake on Monday, and now an extended Covid lockdown

Authorities in big cities such as Nanjing and Wuxi are advising residents to stay at home this weekend, to limit the spread of Covid as China's Congress Party summit edges closer

China's Covid lockdown situation is deteriorating, according to Nomura, which said nearly 300 million people are now affected by restrictions imposed in 49 cities.

An earthquake of 6.8 magnitude that rocked Sichuan on Monday killed at least 21 people and shook the provincial capital of Chengdu, where 21m people are locked down amid a Covid outbreak.

China’s economy slowed sharply in the second quarter due to widespread lockdowns. Now, a nascent third-quarter recovery in the world's second-largest economy appears in danger of stalling.

A stuttering third-quarter recovery in the world's No2 economy appears in danger of stalling after new Covid flare-ups and restrictions