Gu Honghui, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government, said the categorization list is subject to changes based on infection situations in communities, and the government will update and publish it regularly.

"Our principle, as always, is to strive to minimize the impact of the epidemic on residents' daily lives," he said at the daily briefing on the city's epidemic control situation.

As the spread of the virus through the city is still at a high level, residents in precautionary zones are also advised to avoid unnecessary activities outside their homes and to continue working remotely, Gu said.