Some Shanghai residents allowed to leave homes

Authorities in Shanghai began to allow residents in some districts to leave home for essential activities as coronavirus lockdown restrictions continue in China's largest city.

Those who live in areas considered by the government to have a relatively low risk of virus transmission can go out with special permits.

The permit shows residents can stay up to five hours outside the residential compound every time they go out, with a QR health code also required in some public places.

Meanwhile, city officials are encouraging more companies to resume work and production as more districts ease restrictions. The current outbreak in China's largest and wealthiest city sent its 26 million residents into a lockdown at the end of March.

On Friday, Shanghai reported 4,269 local infections, most of them asymptomatic.