Rows in a supermarket in Beijing after rumors of total closure due to covid proliferation. Photo: EFE
On Thursday there were hours of mass hysteria in Beijing after the rumors of a possible confinement of capital from China. Many people flocked to markets and shops to stock up on their homes, offering scenes of panic buying.
The districts of Shunyi, Fanshang and south of Chaoyang, in the heart of the city, have been days with continued community closure. The suspension of public transport and taxi services in the most affected areas of the capital is raising anxiety. In addition, rumors about the suspension of home delivery service have been added.
For hours, in the absence of official information, Beijing residents were carried away by natural fear, relying on rumors and comments on social networks threatening a “Shanghai-style” closure.
People in Beijing were shopping on Thursday in fear of a complete lockdown of the capital. Photo: EFE
“soft confinement”
This Thursday afternoon, at the usual conference, the authorities came out to deny the rumors. Instead they talked “Soft lockdown” in 12 districts From the city center.
Citizens are encouraged to work from home and not leave their homes on weekends, though they are not forbidden to go out. They assured the city’s permanent replenishment and denied the suspension of the home food delivery service.
Authorities denied the suspension of the home food delivery service. Photo: EFE
This Friday, Beijing is breathing more normally. So far, it has been rescued from strict confinement, although uncertainty remains as to where this “dynamic zero covid” policy will go, which the Government has desperately insisted on defending, despite local and international criticism for sa not preserved.
A woman, in the crosshairs of the authorities
A woman is in the crosshairs of authorities after she spread “rumors” about an alleged lockdown in Beijing due to coronavirus cases, which has caused thousands of people to flock to supermarkets in confusion, police announced on Friday. China.
Beijing has been alive for weeks resurgence of coronavirus and registers between 40 and 80 new cases every day.
Restaurants and cafes they do not accept clients and most shops, cinemas and gyms are closed, but most are 22 million inhabitants of the capital China can leave their homes, except in a few confined neighborhoods.
The messages that spread on Thursday by social networks confirmed that the authorities they are going to order a confinement soon.
The rumor has generated an unusual influx of people in supermarkets, in search of food and basic necessities.
Most of the 22 million inhabitants of China’s capital can leave their homes. Photo: EFE
“The message spread widely on social networks, which seriously disrupted public order and had adverse effects“Beijing police said on the Weibo platform on Friday.
Ang 38 year old woman allegedly launched this alert “is subject to compelling criminal measures”, security forces said without providing further details.
These measures may include detention, house arrest or conditional release pending trial.
Wipes in Beijing. Photo: AP
On Friday, the Ministry of Health announced 50 new cases of covid.
In Shanghai (east) a city particularly affected by this covid-19 outbreak and where most of its 25 million inhabitants have been incarcerated since the beginning of April, coronavirus cases are declining.
On Friday, 2,100 new positives were announced, compared to 25,000 daily at the end of last month.
RFI with the AFP
Source: Clarin