BEIJING: China’s largest city Shanghai will soon begin lifting lockdowns in communities that do not report positive cases within 14 days after another round of lockdowns. covid-19 testofficials said on Saturday.
The fresh round of testing comes as the city recorded nearly 23,000 cases on Saturday, most of them asymptomatic.
Large parts of Shanghai, with a population of 26 million, have been under lockdown since March 28, with residents receiving complaints about a lack of food and basic necessities.
Separately, officials in Guangzhou announced that Hong Kong’s northwest city would also begin mass testing of its 18 million residents, according to central broadcaster CCTV. The city reported only two confirmed infections on Friday.
Under the new measures, areas in Shanghai will be classified as “precautionary”, “controlled” as “locked down”, based on the results of the latest round of testing, Shanghai Vice Mayor Zong Ming told a news conference. I told.
Residents in areas considered “precautionary” with no infections within the past two weeks will be able to move around in their district, although gatherings will still be restricted.
Meanwhile, in “contained” areas, residents can move around in their neighbourhoods, which are smaller than districts, while in “locked down” areas everyone will be required to stay at home.
During the news conference, Zong smothered emotions, saying she had been impressed by the efforts of residents and frontline workers.
“There is still a huge gap in everyone’s expectations. We will do our best to rectify it,” she said.
The city has built more than 100 temporary hospitals for treatment covid-19 patient With over 160,000 beds.
But the harsh restrictions on movement have also tested the patience of residents. Some have received government food packages containing meat and vegetables.
Many, however, are struggling to obtain rice and other basics, with online sellers having sold out and delivery services unable to meet demand.
China is facing one of its worst local outbreaks since the pandemic began.
It is one of the only countries sticking to a “zero-Covid” policy, which is taking drastic measures such as lockdowns and mass testing to identify and isolate every single case.
China is still closed to international travel, even as much of the world has sought ways to live with the virus.
The fresh round of testing comes as the city recorded nearly 23,000 cases on Saturday, most of them asymptomatic.
Large parts of Shanghai, with a population of 26 million, have been under lockdown since March 28, with residents receiving complaints about a lack of food and basic necessities.
Separately, officials in Guangzhou announced that Hong Kong’s northwest city would also begin mass testing of its 18 million residents, according to central broadcaster CCTV. The city reported only two confirmed infections on Friday.
Under the new measures, areas in Shanghai will be classified as “precautionary”, “controlled” as “locked down”, based on the results of the latest round of testing, Shanghai Vice Mayor Zong Ming told a news conference. I told.
Residents in areas considered “precautionary” with no infections within the past two weeks will be able to move around in their district, although gatherings will still be restricted.
Meanwhile, in “contained” areas, residents can move around in their neighbourhoods, which are smaller than districts, while in “locked down” areas everyone will be required to stay at home.
During the news conference, Zong smothered emotions, saying she had been impressed by the efforts of residents and frontline workers.
“There is still a huge gap in everyone’s expectations. We will do our best to rectify it,” she said.
The city has built more than 100 temporary hospitals for treatment covid-19 patient With over 160,000 beds.
But the harsh restrictions on movement have also tested the patience of residents. Some have received government food packages containing meat and vegetables.
Many, however, are struggling to obtain rice and other basics, with online sellers having sold out and delivery services unable to meet demand.
China is facing one of its worst local outbreaks since the pandemic began.
It is one of the only countries sticking to a “zero-Covid” policy, which is taking drastic measures such as lockdowns and mass testing to identify and isolate every single case.
China is still closed to international travel, even as much of the world has sought ways to live with the virus.