China has downgraded the management of COVID-19 from category A to category B starting from 8 January 2023. After the downgrade of COVID-19 management, the previous corresponding rules and regulations on human resources management are no longer applicable now. The main changes are as follows:

1. Salary Payment
   
   Before 8 January 2023, the employer shall pay full salary as normal to the employee who is infected with COVID-19 and must undergo quarantine and seek for medical treatment.
   
   Starting from 8 January 2023, the employer shall pay the employee in compliance with sick leave wages standards when the employee is infected with COVID-19 and must stop work for medical treatment and rest.
   
   
2. Sick Leave Application
   
   Starting from 8 January 2023, whether the employees infected with COVID-19 need to stop work for treatment and rest shall be subject to the diagnosis certificate and sick leave advice issued by the medical institution. If the employee is advised by the medical institution to stop work for treatment and rest, the employee shall go through the sick leave application procedures in accordance with the relevant regulations of the employer.

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