China is easing restrictions for travel and after the severe lockdowns that they've had there I wonder how many might be looking to pack up and never look back, moving to greener pastures elsewhere.

There are multiple stories online of tourists having an unpleasant COVID lockdown related experience and that loss in liberty seems to have been enough to put some people off the idea of ever traveling there again. What if another similar lockdown occurs? They have dealt with it in the most severe way possible compared to other countries, with stories being shared of people being allegedly welded into their homes. Why would they want to leave, you ask?

It will only be those who are lucky enough with the means and opportunity to look at going elsewhere, finding more liberty in another region because they are well aware that liberty isn't coming anytime soon to where they are. The recent protests online and in the region showed how upset some were with the state of things and the crackdown, but that doesn't mean there weren't still people out there supporting it and angry at those who had been criticizing it. Tyranny can have many supporters.

Some countries have been testing those arriving from China recently because of concern over new strains and outbreaks and that has prompted authorities to suggest that people should be treated equally and not be singled out in this way upon arrival. For now though it seems that those travelers will be tested upon arrival in different locations.

The ease of those travel restrictions might be lifting hope for some at the economy getting better and it is also bringing opportunity to those who can't wait to get out and possibly never look back.

Lockdown Cost

The lockdown has had a severe cost in China and around the world, not just in physical goods and economic activity lost, there has been a mental health toll as well. The effects of the situation might not be fully understood for years to come. It's estimated that the lockdown in China might have cost $36 billion per month or more. Now that they've seemingly abandoned their zero-covid approach after those protests recently started up and hashtags like #freechina started to quickly spread around the world, we will have to wait and see what 2023 has in store.

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