Status: 10/27/2022 10:14 am
China reports more than 1000 new corona infections in one day. New lockdowns were therefore imposed in numerous cities. More than 200 million people are affected. The government is thus continuing its strict zero-Covid policy.
Increasing numbers of corona infections have triggered a new wave of lockdowns in China. From Wuhan in central China to Xining in the northwest, neighborhoods with millions of residents have been sealed off to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
The authorities reported more than 1000 new Covid-19 cases for the third day in a row. While this figure is rather low by international comparison, it is triggering restrictions in many parts of the country given China’s strict zero-Covid policy.
Roads and neighborhoods cordoned off
Guangzhou, the country’s fourth-largest city in terms of economic output, is one of the municipalities affected. Other streets and parts of the city were cordoned off there, and people were not allowed to leave their homes. The reason: New areas were classified as high-risk areas. “Many of my friends and colleagues are locked at home,” said Lily Li from Guangzhou. The situation is unstable. “Classes have been suspended and entertainment has also been suspended,” Li said. “The gym I go to often has also been closed.”
More or less strict lockdowns were already in force in 28 cities at the beginning of the week. According to analysts at financial institution Nomura, around 207.7 million people were affected in regions that generate around 25.6 trillion yuan (around 3.5 trillion euros), or around a quarter of China’s gross domestic product.
800,000 people have to stay at home
In Wuhan, where the world’s first corona outbreak was detected at the end of 2019, around 20 to 25 new infections are reported every day this week. That has prompted authorities to order more than 800,000 people in one neighborhood to stay home until Sunday. “I don’t know what to do,” said a 38-year-old Wuhan resident surnamed Chang. “We feel numb about it all. We feel more and more jaded.”
In Wuhan, pork sales have also been suspended in parts of the city, according to images and posts on social media. A corona case had previously been identified, which the authorities said was linked to the local pork supply chain.
Xining: Food is becoming scarce
In Xining, capital of Qinghai province, food shortages and soaring prices of essential goods have been reported on social media. “In order to reduce the risk of transmission, some vegetable and fruit shops have been closed and quarantined,” said a Xining government official.
The lockdown wave could also hit the German economy. China has been their most important trading partner since 2016: goods worth 245.4 billion euros were traded between the two countries last year alone.