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Corona lockdown: Shanghai wants to relax
STORY: A paralyzed metropolis of millions – pictures from Shanghai in eastern China on Monday. A lockdown imposed due to the increasing number of corona infections has had the 26 million inhabitants firmly under control for three weeks – there is almost nobody to be seen on the streets. Residents are only allowed to leave their homes with a special permit. Despite a further increase in the number of cases, some areas should be relaxed, starting this week. Where no corona case has occurred for more than 14 days, residents should take up “appropriate activities” and hope for an opening. Areas with a week without new infections are initially checked further. Many supermarkets are closed and thousands of couriers are unable to work. More and more citizens are expressing their dissatisfaction with the supply of food and medicine. Videos circulating online show residents loudly arguing with security guards because they need food. Media reported about looting. Nevertheless, in view of the increasing number of infections, critics see a risk in the progressive opening. Despite the lockdown, a record 25,000 new cases were initially recorded. Compared to major American or European cities, the number of infections is low. In China, which has a controversial zero-Covid strategy, it is the largest outbreak since Wuhan in 2019.
A strict lockdown has been in force in the metropolis for more than three weeks. Despite the increasing number of infections, it is now to be gradually relaxed. Looting had previously been reported on social media. Many citizens fear for their food and medicine supply.