Health authorities on the mainland on Monday reported 1,159 new local Covid infections – 820 fewer than the day before – as Shanghai announced a timetable for returning to normality.

The majority of the day's new cases still came from Shanghai, with 869 asymptomatic infections and 69 symptomatic cases.

Four new deaths, involving patients aged between 80 and 93, were also reported from the financial hub. The patients were said to have been suffering from cancer or various chronic illnesses.

The fall in cases in Shanghai came as officials announced an easing of lockdowns that were implemented from late March.

Deputy Shanghai mayor Zhong Ming said they believe the epidemic in the city is now under control.

"At the moment, 15 out of 16 of the districts have achieved 'dynamic zero Covid' at a social level. The number of people locked down is less than one million. The number of new positive cases recorded yesterday has for the first time fallen to less than 1,000. Shanghai also hasn't reported any new infections at a social level two days in a row," she said.

"We have made progress in effectively controlling the epidemic in Shanghai," Zhong declared.

She told a news conference that public transport will gradually resume from May 22 and from June 1, the city will also start to resume normal life, as long as the risks are still manageable.

In Beijing, authorities recorded a total of 54 new cases.