Chinese beer-lovers leave face masks and worries behind as festival opens

Beer-lovers were reassured by China's low numbers of new COVID-19 cases, and turned out to raise a glass. BEIJING: Thousands of Chinese beer-lovers left their face masks and coronavirus worries behind to gather in large crowds and raise a much-needed glass as the annual Qingdao beer festival opened over the weekend.

China has largely brought the coronavirus outbreak under control through a series of lockdowns and restrictions, and the small number of cases reassured beer-lovers to turn out despite the global pandemic.And at the festival, which opened on Friday and runs until late August, drinkers were eating and drinking together, watching shows and fireworks and sampling the more than 1,500 types of beer available.

Many revellers were walking around the enormous venue in Shandong province mask-free, with long tables packed with merry drinkers in scenes reminiscent of pre-pandemic days.AdvertisementState broadcaster CCTV said the festival was a chance for people to go back to"normal life and clink glasses". "It's been half a year since I last travelled around ... I feel so happy and relaxed right now," Wang Hua, a tourist from northern Shanxi Province, told CCTV.The central"Beer City" is limited to 30 per cent visitor capacity, while staff must wear masks and visitor temperatures and health codes are checked.

The seaside resort is the home of Tsingtao, one of the most popular beers in China and the most exported around the world.China reported 43 new coronavirus infections on Monday.

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