Shanghai and Beijing tighten quarantine policies as the outbreak continues

Shanghai, a commercial hub of 25 million people, is tightening quarantine measures to eliminate the number of infections outside the restricted areas by late May, Reuters said, citing sources familiar with the situation.

People familiar with the situation said that despite the drop in the number of infections, movement restrictions in Shanghai would remain in place for the most part until the end of the month to prevent a rebound. Authorities in multiple districts have issued notices asking residents to return to their residential areas after a short walk or quick shopping.

The Shanghai Municipal Health Commission said on Sunday that it would continue screening antigens and nucleic acids based on three zones: containment zone, control zone and prevention zone.

Shanghai’s Hongkou district notified residents on Saturday that it plans to continuously strengthen control of “three districts” in the district from May 8 to 15, and the prevention areas will be upgraded. During this period, the whole district will implement control measures in strict accordance with the “Hongkou District” Management and Service Specifications “. During the above period, nucleic acid tests will be carried out once a day in the containment area, and the combination screening of “3-day nucleic acid + 4-day antigen” and “1-day nucleic acid + 6-day antigen” will be carried out in the control and prevention areas respectively, the statement said.

Chinese social media also circulated a video of an altercation between police and residents. The video shows officers in protective clothing arguing with residents who have been told their neighbors have tested positive and need to be quarantined.” This is to eliminate positive cases completely.” “Stop asking me why, there is no why,” said a policeman. We have to follow the national guidelines.”

It is said that the notice of the neighborhood committee and the wechat chat records of citizens show that according to the new regulations, as long as there is one positive case, the whole building residents will be transferred and isolated, so we call for the cessation of group buying and staying indoors.

Several rounds of nucleic acid tests have been conducted in several areas of Beijing

The fear of prolonged lockdown and being sent to shoddy isolation centres has led to growing discontent and even arguments among Shanghai residents.

Meanwhile, Several rounds of nucleic acid screening were carried out in Beijing’s Chaoyang, Dongcheng and Haidian districts from May 7 to 9.

Strict coronavirus restrictions in Beijing, Shanghai and several major cities are inflicting psychological damage on people, weighing heavily on the world’s second-largest economy and disrupting global supply chains and international trade.

At a time when most countries around the world are relaxing quarantine measures and moving towards co-existence with the virus, The measures taken by China, which has so far stuck to a “zero out policy”, stand in stark contrast to those taken by other countries.

Beijing closed gyms and entertainment venues, banned sit-down service in restaurants, and closed more than 100 bus lines and nearly 15 per cent of subway stations. Many Beijing residents avoid going out.