[Shanghai / Beijing 8th Archyde.com]–The lockdown (city blockade) that started a month ago in Shanghai, China, to thoroughly contain the new coronavirus infection is not likely to be lifted for a while. A person familiar with the matter told Archyde.com that the city of Shanghai is stepping up its efforts to eliminate new infections outside the quarantine by late May.
According to people familiar with the matter, the number of newly infected people in the city is declining, but due to the risk of rebound (re-spreading of infection), strict regulations are expected to continue throughout the month. Authorities in some districts have instructed residents to stay home again after allowing them to take a short walk or shop.
A video spread on Chinese social media shows police in protective clothing arguing with residents who were ordered to enter a quarantine facility because of positives in the vicinity. One of the police officers said, “This is a measure that allows us to completely eliminate the infection. Don’t ask me why (why do you give such an order). There is no doubt about it. We follow national policy. I have to hear a voice explaining.
The city of Shanghai has not responded to Archyde.com’ request for comment.
Citizens are worried about prolonged lockdowns and entering isolation facilities, which has led to widespread dissatisfaction and quarrels as in this video. One of the uncertainties is that some isolation facilities do not have showers or other basic living facilities.
Even in the capital Beijing, sports gyms and entertainment facilities have been closed, eating out is prohibited, and some local buses and subways have been suspended, and many residents are refraining from going out.
A 50-year-old man living in Beijing took pictures of uncrowded roads and closed subway stations, saying, “It feels very strange. I saw an empty road in the summer. It’s the first time I’ve lived in Beijing for years. “
The number of customers is sparse at the stores that are still open. People want to avoid the risk of being forced into quarantine facilities through close contact with infected people.
A barber shop owner noted that all residents are obliged to use mobile phone monitoring software, saying, “Our north malls and offices are closed. If residents visit there, they will be in close contact with the app. Everyone is really anxious about the current spread of the infection. “
State media reported that Prime Minister Li Keqiang promised to help “as many” managers as possible, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, in a conference call with government officials on the 7th.
China’s unemployment rate in March was 5.8%, the highest since May 2020, and reached 6.0%, the worst ever in 31 cities. Moreover, in April, the headwinds in the labor market became even stronger due to the lockdown in Shanghai and the tightening of regulations associated with infection control in other regions.
Still, the Chinese government has not relaxed its determination to wipe out the new coronavirus. He also suggested that he would punish him if he criticized the Zero-COVID policy last week. Regular inspections have become a part of daily life in many cities, and authorities hope that such inspections will help avoid large-scale blockades and restricted movements, and help detect and contain infections early.
In Beijing, on the 8th, there was a line of residents to be inspected in Chaoyang, Fangshan, Fengtai, etc., and in some areas of Chaoyang, there is a loud speaker that repeats the message to the residents to be inspected. There was also a scene where the person in charge was patrolling.
Even for many residents who are not obliged to test, it is essential to show the latest negative proof to go to work or enter various facilities.
The number of new infections per day in Beijing is dozens, which is much lower than in Shanghai. The number of newly infected people in Shanghai has decreased for 9 consecutive days as of the 8th, but it is still on the scale of several thousand. Communist Party and city officials have warned of optimism.