Coronavirus lockdown in Shanghai authorities surround residents I feel powerless

Coronavirus lockdown in Shanghai: authorities surround residents “I feel powerless” fr.de

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  • Created: 04/25/2022, 16:22

    By: Caroline Schafer

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    Despite strict restrictions, the number of corona deaths in Shanghai, China, is on the rise. Fences are erected to isolate the population.

    Shanghai – Never since the beginning of the corona pandemic has the number of cases in China been as high as it is now. The center of the pandemic is currently the port metropolis of Shanghai, and residents have been subject to strict curfews for weeks. Chinese authorities are being tested with the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

    But, in the meantime, there are more and more criticisms of the procedure in the port city. Deliveries of food and medical care are insufficient, the German Press Agency (dpa) reported. To contain the new corona infections in Shanghai, the authorities set up barriers for the population.

    Residents take part in a mass corona test in Beijing's Chaoyang district.Residents take part in a mass corona test in Beijing’s Chaoyang district. © Ng Han Guan/dpa

    Corona situation in China: Strict curfew in Shanghai

    Images of green fences put up by Chinese officials in protective suits have appeared repeatedly, especially on social media. This is apparently aimed at isolating households where at least one person has tested positive for Corona and restricting the population’s freedom of movement.

    The images could not be independently verified initially. However, a Shanghai resident pointed out that a green fence also appeared in his residential area. “No one has told us why it was built,” the resident told the BBC, who asked to remain anonymous.

    ParentsChina Popular Republic
    regioneast of china
    population26 million

    Corona in China: the population in Shanghai is surrounded

    “No one can leave. I feel helpless You don’t know when the lockdown will end,” he added. “What if a fire breaks out when your area is fenced off? I don’t think anyone in their right mind can seal people’s homes,” he said.

    China with head of state Xi Jinping is pursuing a zero Covid strategy, but the number of cases has risen again since early April – especially in Shanghai. The metropolis recorded 51 deaths related to corona infection on Sunday (24/04/2022). According to the Health Commission, most of the 23,000 infections across the country were discovered in Shanghai on Sunday. In China’s largest city, all 26 million residents will be retested starting Tuesday (April 26, 2022).

    Corona pandemic in China: the situation in Beijing is reaching its peak

    The situation in the Chinese capital is also coming to a head. After the occurrence of dozens of corona cases, the 3.5 million residents of Beijing’s largest district, Chaoyang, have had to be tested in three rounds every two days since Monday (April 25, 2022). According to the authorities, the virus has been spreading undetected in the metropolis for a week, which is why there are likely to be more cases than previously reported.

    However, the fear of curfews like in Shanghai is already noticeable. According to DPA information, hamster purchases caused empty shelves in supermarkets. It remains to be seen whether a lockdown will be imposed across the city or in parts. “When the results of tests in Chaoyang and elsewhere are released, it will give us a better picture of the general situation of the epidemic in Beijing,” an expert from the national health department told the party-affiliated newspaper, the Global Times. “More measures will follow accordingly.” (kas/dpa)