Shanghai says it will begin lifting COVID-19 lockdown that started over six weeks ago

Shanghai on Monday announced plans to start as of June 1 a process to end its roughly six-week COVID-19 lockdown in the major Chinese city and economic hub.

Deputy Mayor Zong Ming said Shanghai will reopen in stages and residents' movements will largely remain in place until May 21 to prevent another surge in infections, according to Reuters.

She also said officials would fully restore normal production and life in the city – "as long as risks of a rebound in infections are controlled" – from June 1 to mid- and late June. 

However, residents remain skeptical, considering officials have previously changed such schedules for lifting restrictions.

China, where the virus was first detected in late 2019, has over roughly the past two month locked down dozen of cities, impacting hundreds of millions of consumers and workers and hurting its economy – as most other countries have lifted most restriction.

China has the world's second-largest economy after the United States', and its lockdown has resulted supply chains and international trade problems around the globe..

Shanghai officials expected the lockdown that started March 27 to last only until April 5.