The Chinese stock market chart closed in the red, recording its worst session in a month, as recent measures to ease monetary policy could not offset investor concerns about protests against tight covenant restrictions in the world’s second-largest economy.

China once again recorded record numbers of coronavirus infections on Monday following protests across the country against strict covid restrictions.

Amid concerns, investor sentiment on China’s stock market couldn’t be much affected by the People’s Bank of China, which said on Friday it will lower requirements on the amount of funds banks must hold as reserves for the second time this year, freeing up about 500 billion yuan ($69.8 billion) of long-term liquidity to support the slowing economy.

In turn, consumer and tourism-related stocks rose, as some investors bet that the recent COVID-19 outbreaks and social unrest could push China to end its “zero tolerance” COVID-19 policy earlier.

Earlier we reported that the gold price was showing moderate gains in reaction to the US Federal Reserve meeting minutes.