A sample taken from a Covid testing center in Beijing on April 26, 2022. NG HAN GUAN/AP
China has been facing an epidemic outbreak of Covid-19 since March, affecting many provinces to varying degrees. She is reacting to this with a zero-Covid strategy, which consists in particular of large-scale exit restrictions and quarantines, as in Shanghai, where the city of 25 million people has been locked up under strict conditions since the beginning of April. Many complain of difficulties in accessing food and the confinement of positive people to quarantine centers with different levels of hygiene.
52 new deaths and almost 17,000 positive cases within 24 hours were announced there on Tuesday by the Ministry of Health.
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Beijing, which has reported around 100 positive cases since last week, isn’t there yet, but more than 100 positive cases have been reported since last week, including 33 new ones announced on Tuesday — an increase from previous days. To identify and isolate those infected as quickly as possible, Beijing authorities are conducting a screening campaign that will extend to twelve of the sixteen districts in the city of 22 million, starting Tuesday, April 26.
Residents and employees in Chaoyang District, the city’s most populous and home to many multinational companies, offices, embassies and shopping malls, had already been tested on Monday. Eleven new districts began screening their residents on Tuesday. In total, about twenty million inhabitants are affected by this campaign.
Several gyms where Beijingers train for basketball, badminton or table tennis announced on Tuesday that they would be closed until further notice “to meet requests from the health authorities”. The Lama Temple, a Buddhist site that draws many visitors, will be closed from Wednesday.
However, life in the Chinese capital remains largely normal. The streets are bustling with activity as always. Shops, restaurants, cinemas, offices and bars are open.
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Supermarkets taken over
Though authorities have not mentioned the possibility of detention, the Shanghai example has spooked many Beijingers, who prefer to stockpile food to deal with the eventuality. They have flocked to supermarkets and online shopping platforms in recent days to buy meat, fruits, vegetables, water, snacks, oil and other basic necessities.
So far, no food shortages have been observed. At the moment no food shortages have been observed and the authorities assure that the supply can follow the demand.
Beijing City Hall spokesman Xu Hejian said on Monday evening that the spread of the virus was still “under control”.
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Authorities have urged companies to resort to teleworking. They also locked down around 30 residential buildings and asked travel agencies to suspend group trips to the capital. Days before the May Day holiday, City Hall also urged Beijingers not to leave the city unless absolutely necessary.
However, the measures taken by Beijing are very moderate compared to those in other places facing similar outbreaks. The city of Baotou (northern China), a major producer of rare earths, on Monday called on residents to stay home after just two positive cases were reported.