Shanghai Reinstates Strict Covid Lockdown Measures Following Outbreak

China’s zero-Covid strategy is in full effect starting Monday. The nation has enacted its strictest Covid lockdown measures since the start of the pandemic two years ago. The country will begin mass testing after a growing outbreak in Shanghai.

The new citywide lockdown will be conducted in two phases. The measures for the city’s 26 million people will be the most extensive since Wuhan restricted its 11 million citizens to their homes in 2020.

Starting Monday, the Pudong financial district and neighboring areas will be locked down through Friday. Mass testing will take place during this time. The second part of the lockdown will shut down the vast downtown area west of the Huangpu River. This five-day lockdown will begin on Friday. 

All residents will be forced to stay in their homes, with deliveries being left at checkpoints. Public transportation will be temporarily suspended and all non-essential offices and businesses will be closed.

The New York Post reports:

“Many communities within Shanghai have been locked down for the past week, with their housing compounds blocked off with blue and yellow plastic barriers and residents required to submit to multiple tests for COVID-19. Shanghai’s Disneyland theme park is among the businesses that closed earlier. Automaker Tesla is also suspending production at its Shanghai plant.”

Many residents began panic buying, leaving supermarket shelves bare. Some residents were concerned about the economic impact of another lockdown.

Resident Huang Qi stated:

“I think if the closure continues like this, our school workers will not be affected much, but what about those who work in the real economy? How can their business be maintained? I still hope that our society can find a better balance between ensuring normal life and epidemic prevention and control.”

There have been 56,000 new Covid cases reported in China this month, with most in the Jilin province. 

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