Coronavirus
China’s biggest lockdown in 2 years begins in Shanghai
Authorities decided that the city will be subjected to a city-wide lockdown, the largest since the virus was found in Wuhan
March 28, 2022 2:02pm
Updated: March 28, 2022 4:40pm
China imposed its most restrictive lockdown in two years on Monday in Shanghai, as a wave of positive Covid-19 cases spreads in the country’s financial capital.
Shanghai, a city of 26 million people, had been able to contain its previous outbreaks with limited lockdowns of areas where the virus was spreading. On Saturday, Shanghai authorities had ruled out a lockdown in the city.
However, authorities decided that the city will be subjected to a city-wide lockdown, the largest since the virus was found in Wuhan, and 11 million people were confined in their homes for 76 days.
Shanghai’s lockdown will be conducted in two phases. The city’s Pudong financial district and neighboring areas will be confined from Monday to Friday, local authorities said.
The second phase will place the city’s area west of the Huangpu River under lockdown starting on Friday until April 5.
Throughout the lockdown, residents will be required to stay in their own homes. Non-essential businesses and offices will be closed, including Shanghai’s Disneyland park and Tesla.
Public transportation and ride-hailing services will not operate during the lockdown. In addition, the city’s Public Security Bureau announced the closure of cross-river bridges, tunnels, and tollbooths.
“The public is asked to support, understand and cooperate with the city’s epidemic prevention and control work, and participate in nucleic acid testing in an orderly manner,” the government said.
Last week, Shanghai started locking down several communities and housing compounds, requiring residents to submit multiple Covid-19 tests.
On Sunday, Shanghai residents cleared off shelves of food, beverages, and household items, as people started to panic-buy.
Shanghai reported a record of 3,450 asymptomatic positive Covid-19 cases, making up 70 percent of the nations’ total. On Monday, China’s National Health Commission reported 5,134 new cases. The numbers are the highest since the virus was first reported in Wuhan in 2019.
