Coronavirus in China: new anticovid restrictions make Beijing a ghost town

Millions of Beijing residents worked from home on Monday, after authorities said strengthen measures against covidgiving the Chinese capital of 22 million people the image of a ghost town.

China has been fighting for two months in the worst outbreak of the epidemic since the beginning of 2020.

Although the number of infections is minimal compared to the world level, the authorities strictly apply the “zero covid” policy. and impose lockdowns throughout the city once their cases are determined.

After Shanghai, the busiest city in the country detained since the beginning of April, Beijing has been under travel restrictions for a week and many public places (restaurants, cafes, gyms …) have been closed.

On Monday, the authorities strictly limited access to non-essential services in the Chaoyang district, the most dynamic and populated in the capital.

The bustling commercial district of Sanlitun in eastern Beijing was deserted on Monday. The Apple store, for example, was ordered to close minutes after its doors opened.

“I’m not comfortable with the few people around me”A cleaning worker named Wang told AFP as he waited to enter the restaurant where he worked.

“I’m in charge of disinfection, I can’t work from home,” he added.

Some workers in the financial sector have moved to hotels near their offices.

“Our company told us we should try not to go home because they think so there is danger on the roadsays a Beijing investment manager who moved to a hotel not far from his place of work.

“Some of my friends were advised not to take public transport to work, and to ride a car or bicycle,” he added.

beijing announced on Monday 49 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

In Shanghai, the number of daily infections dropped below 4,000 on Monday, which led to 25,000 at the end of April.

The current outbreak of the epidemic has killed more than 500 people in Shanghai, according to official data. In all, China has officially recorded about 5,000 deaths due to the virus since the pandemic began.

After nearly 40 days of incarceration and some food supply problems, the inhabitants of Shanghai began to show their anger.

In the Zhuanqiao neighborhood, several residents confronted officials equipped with comprehensive protection against Covid this weekend, according to a video posted on social media.

“The police acted quickly to convince the curious to disperse and bring calm, ”local authorities reported.

“According to an investigation conducted in the area, the rioters had enough food at home,” both sources said.

The confinement of China’s economic capital, the port of entry and exit of goods, has had a huge impact on the Asian giant’s economy.

Last month, China’s exports they advanced at their slowest pace in almost two years (+3.9%).

Analysts who contacted the Bloomberg agency estimated that the slowdown would be more pronounced (+2.7%), after a 14.7% one-year increase in March.

It’s about worst growth of Chinese exports since June 2020 (+0.5%).

AFP agency

PB