Wave of Respiratory Infections Sparks Rumors of Covid Health Codes Return

China’s once-ubiquitous Covid health codes are back in the spotlight as rumors swirl about their possible return amid the ongoing wave of respiratory infections, with renewed calls for the controversial phone apps that produces the code to be scrapped once and for all.

Recent posts widely circulated on social media claimed the apps were back in use in provinces such as Guangdong and Sichuan, with screenshots showing users holding a “green” health code around 5 p.m. on Friday.