The Forbidden City, from where the emperors of China ruled and is now a very popular tourist spot, will close its doors from May 12 to reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus, Chinese authorities announced on Wednesday.
In light of the worst outbreak in COVID-19 China has been imposing drastic measures since the first wave of 2020 captivity in the cities it considers to be hardest hit.
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The rapid spread of Omicron variantparticularly contagious, puts the strategy to the test”zero covid‘ being held back by the authorities and fueling trouble.
In Beijing in late April, the discovery of cases of contamination led to the isolation of residential complexes, office buildings and a university. Schools, entertainment venues and tourist attractions have also been closed.
‘Zero COVID’ crashes auto market down 47.6% in April
The “zero-COVID” policy is also weighing on the country’s economy. Auto sales in China fell 47.6% year-on-year in April amid plant closures, traffic restrictions and a sharp drop in consumption.
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In the first four months of the year, auto sales in China — the world’s largest auto market — fell 12% from the same period last year, according to figures released on Wednesday by the National Automobile Manufacturers Association.
Electric car maker Tesla’s sales fell 98% in April after the lockdown imposed in Shanghai severely disrupted operations at its “mega-factory.” And Tesla’s exports, assembled at the site, fell to zero last month.
On Wednesday, Tesla shipped 4,767 cars from Shanghai to Slovenia, the first batch of vehicles exported since the factory reopened on April 19, the Shanghai Observer reported.