People visit the renovated East Nanjing Road Walkway in East China's Shanghai, Sept 12, 2020. (Photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING -- China has eased restrictions on theaters and other performance venues, including raising the cap on audience numbers, as the COVID-19 epidemic has waned in the country.

Performing centers are now allowed to fill 75 percent of their operating capacity, the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism said in a statement.

Moreover, commercial performances are now allowed in low-risk areas with the consent of local authorities, said the statement. It added that large-scale commercial performances still require appropriate control of audience numbers based on the local epidemic containment situation, and the green light will be given first to events held outdoors.