Mainland health authorities on Sunday reported 88 new local coronavirus cases, 12 more than the day before.

The National Health Commission said of the latest locally transmitted infections, 33 of them were symptomatic.

Beijing accounted for 16 of them – up from five a day earlier – while there were six in Shanghai, up from five.

Shanghai also reported 16 local asymptomatic cases.

There were no new deaths.

Meanwhile, Beijing will gradually lift Covid-19 restrictions, city officials said on Sunday.

After some easing in recent days, the capital announced that residents would start returning to work from Monday and schools would reopen from June 13.

From Monday, restaurants will be able to welcome customers again – if they have tested negative in the previous three days – and public transport will operate normally, the city's government said in a statement.

Two districts in the capital will maintain restrictions.

In Shanghai, most of the city's 25 million inhabitants have been able to move freely since Wednesday. But hundreds of thousands still face restrictions after being designated close contacts of infected people. (Additional reporting by AFP)